Meet the meerkats, if you can name them

The meerkat mob at the college's new outdoor animal handling centre increased in size six weeks ago and our readers are invited to name these two latest arrivals.

The pups, a male and a female, have so far remained nameless and the college is looking for two imaginative suggestions.

Entrants are asked to provide a name for the male or the female and the two lucky winners will be given the chance to spend half a day on the animal management unit with the keepers at Bishop Burton College.

They will be given the chance to learn about exotic animal husbandry and have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the meerkats during a feeding session inside the small mammal enclosure.

Sue Harvey, curriculum and learning manager for animal management, says, "Many people would only get to see exotic animals such as meerkats on the television or in a collection such as ours. This competition will give two very fortunate people the chance to meet and feed the meerkats – it's a very special prize."

Sue is also keen to stress that the winners will be supervised throughout their visit and during their time with the meerkats. "These are very endearing creatures, however we must remember they are wild animals and not pets. Anyone entering the enclosure will be fully briefed beforehand, given appropriate clothing and accompanied throughout

the visit."

The winnners will also be able to learn about some of the college's other animals, which include rheas, alpaca, wallabies, red-ruffed lemurs, marmosets, snakes and lizards.

If you wish to enter, please send an email to: meerkats@bishop burton.ac.uk Please remember to provide a name for either the male or the female pup and to enter "Meerkat Competition" in the subject field.

Please include your name and contact details including a full postal address and telephone number.

If you wish to post your entry, please send to:

Meerkat Competition, Marketing Department, Bishop Burton College, York Road, Bishop Burton, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 8QG. Entries close

on Saturday, July 24, and winners will be notified by letter no later than August 3. The winners visit will take place at the end of August 2010 (date to be confirmed).

www.bishopburton.ac.uk

CW 12/6/10