Meerkats in the UK - Help Requested Please

R

RobertSE6

Member
Hello there

I was hoping someone might be able to tell me where in the UK (London and the South East specifically) there are zoos with Meerkats which can be easily photographed - i.e. not though wire fences (a sunken enclosure maybe?)

I have tried the usual web searches and emailed some places but with no luck so far.

Many thanks.

Robert
 
If you have a look at Zootierliste (Link Below) it should list all in England, Wales etc. I got some good shots when I was at ZSL London Zoo. Most zoos do include sort of 'dip' enclosures or walls. In the past I have got great shots at Chester Zoo, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Manor Wildlife Park.

ZootierlisteHomepage
 
Almost every zoo in the UK has meerkats, in the London area London zoo, Battersea park and Paradise Park have them. As long as you avoid bird gardens and aquariums you'll find meerkats.
 
Thank you both very much.

To clarify - I'm not having trouble finding Meerkats - the issue is about where I can photograph them without having to deal with wire fences or other obstructions. That info is not so easy to find - unlike the Meerkats ;-)

I suspect that many of the images on the web are taken by staff from within the enclosure so the lack of fence etc in the pictures is misleading.

Sounds like London Zoo should work Ed.

Do you happen to know what the enclosure is like at Battersea Ned? Can't see on their website unless I missed it.

Regards

Robert
 
Thanks Ed - assuming that's taken by a member of the public from outside the enclosure that looks very promising - apart from the lack of Meerkats ;-)

R
 
Ignore that! For some reason only the first pic you linked to was in your message when I read it first time - odd (or I'm going nuts).

Anyway its clear from the others that its through glass which is better than wire fence but not ideal - think I'll still give London Zoo a go.

Thanks for all the help - I will search the site better next time ;-)

R
 
No problem - ps make sure to get yourself a set of kneepads. I find that in zoos especially, the walking surface is often concrete or packed stone or other rough hard surfaces. And if you're getting low angle shots that really gets painful fast on the knees (esp when you come to stand up again).
 
Yep you can feel a bit of a fool wearing them, but they really do work wonders for keeping your knees more comfortable. The sort that wrap around the leg can be a little bit of a pain and sometimes will slide down the leg a little - varies from design to design

You can also get some work trousers that have a knee insert that lets you slip a pad into them which can be more discrete and sometimes better at staying over the knee.

If you want you can also use a kneeling pad such as what gardeners use - heck a firm cushion works well if you've not got anything else to use.


In the end the idea is the same, it lets you kneel and put weight on your knee without crippling you then or when you come to stand up (as when you stand up you will generally put weight onto the knee/leg).

Most people won't kneel for a photo, they might crouch quickly, but won't think about spending 5 - 10 - 20 mins kneeling for a shot.
 
PWP, ZSL or Shepreth all have Meerkats that are easy to photo, also on the isle of wight Sandown Zoo & owl and Monkey Haven.
PWP have 2 meerkat exhibits and Shepreths is good too
 
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