Search for meerkat missing from Reddish Vale Farm

A search is under way to find a meerkat missing in Greater Manchester.

It escaped from Reddish Vale Farm in Stockport and staff believe it has made its way to Reddish Vale Country Park.

Farm manager Jordan Beckwith said the meerkat, one of three males, may have gone looking for food or a mate.

He said while the meerkats at the farm were "very friendly" he urged people not to approach it if they see it as the animal "can bite if feeling threatened".

"We've been searching the county park this morning and all round the visitor centre, and it's absolutely nowhere to be seen," Mr Beckwith said.

"We've been looking for him in the burrows and we've had the meerkat barking sound on and put out food to try and entice him back."

The animal is thought to have escaped through a drain hole during maintenance work before it passed through a fence and on to the park.

In a Facebook post the farm said: "One of our meerkats has escaped overnight. We believe he may have made his way on to Reddish Vale Country Park. If you spot him please do not approach, our meerkats are very friendly but can bite if feeling threatened."

Adding: "Please share so we can get him back home safe."

An infrared drone camera will be used to try and locate the animal as the search continues overnight, Mr Beckwith said.

"They are big herd animals and they like to have big groups and colonies and there are usually three minimum," he said, adding the remaining two "aren't going to be happy right now".

Meerkats live in the wild in southern Africa and their natural habitat is dry, open plains, savannas and grasslands.

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