Meerkats at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Earlier this we paid a visit to the Monarto Zoo in South Australia. It was a special treat for my wife on her birthday. Friends Rose and Keith picked us up and drove us to the zoo. We are fortunate that it is a quick ten minute drive from home. We try to visit several times a year, partly because it is so close and partly because we enjoy our visits. We also like to get value out of my zoo membership. I am a life member of the Adelaide Zoo and this allows me free access to this and other zoos around Australia. I can also bring one other person free, and that is usually my dear wife.
Monarto Zoo is run by Adelaide Zoo and is an open range zoo. While there are exhibits one can walk to, most of the animals are observed from one of the regular bus tours of the large zoo. These tours are included in the entry fee and leave the information centre every twenty minutes or so, depending on demand. Walking tracks also criss-cross the park for the able and the energetic.
A number of exhibits are accessible by foot from the information centre, including the meerkat display. Today I am showing a series of photos taken on this special occasion. As usual, one of these endearing critters posed beautifully for me. I love how photogenic and cooperative they are.
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Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Meerkat on guard at Monarto Zoo
Monarto Zoo
Meerkats at Adelaide Zoo
Meerkats at Adelaide Zoo
Both sections of the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia have a god collection of Meerkats on display. These delightful animals are always a favourite with visitors to the main zoo in Adelaide as well as the Monarto section of the zoo.
Meerkats at Adelaide Zoo
Meerkats at Adelaide Zoo
Meerkats at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
My local zoo, Monarto Zoo, has a small enclosure near the Visitor Centre which always attracts a lot of attention. The enclosure is on the way from the centre to the bus stop, and almost every visitor to the zoo passes by it. It is the Meerkat enclosure. This wonderful little animal is usually a crowd favourite.
The shuttle buses take visitors on guided tours of the zoo, as well as taking them to various stops along the way. Visitors can alight at any of these stops and walk along the numerous walking trails taking them to viewing platforms o see the animals.
On my most recent visit we thought that the Meerkats had gone to ground for the night. Sunset was not too far away and the zoo was about to close. Then one of them popped out to bid us goodnight, posing for photos – as they are wont to do.
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkats at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkats would have to be one of the more popular animals on display in any zoo. These endearing little creatures are fun to watch and everyone seems drawn to them for their antics. Of course, there is a serious side to their behaviour: survival. Without those comical poses like that shown in the photo above they would be in serious danger from predators. So what looks funny to humans is a matter of life and death for the Meerkats.
The small meerkat display at Monarto Zoo here in South Australia is a popular attraction to all visitors. Their enclosure is only a few steps away from the Visitor Centre and restaurant, and so it is one of the most visited parts of the zoo. It is also on the way to the bus stop zone where most visitors get on the shuttle buses taking visitors on tours of the zoo.
Monarto Zoo is just a ten minute drive from my home town of Murray Bridge, and only 50 minutes drive on the SE Freeway from Adelaide. To learn more about the meerkats at Monarto Zoo click here.
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Meerkat at Monarto Zoo, South Australia