A baby meerkat that disappeared from a Perth Zoo overnight may have been illegally taken by a visitor or fallen prey to a wild bird.

One of the zookeepers realised the helpless meerkitten was missing from its open-air enclosure during a routine inspection on Wednesday evening.

The four-week-old animal was due to have its first hand-held check at six weeks of age.

It had also only just started venturing out of its nest box at the exhibit, and keepers allegedly saw it about 30 minutes prior to its disappearance, ABC News reported.

A planned celebration to mark the birth of the baby meerkat, which was born on August 20 as part of a regional breeding program, was also postponed.

The meerkitten’s mother, Bamba, was brought to Perth from Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria and Perth Zoo-born male Runako was the suspected father.

Perth Zoo later confirmed in a statement that the baby meerkat was indeed missing.

‘We’ve had a sad and unexpected turn of events this afternoon regarding our meerkat mob,’ the urgent alert stated.

‘During evening zoo keeper rounds, the meerkat infant was not present in the exhibit.  

‘We are still investigating this incident, however it may be possible that the infant was preyed on by a predatory bird, which is a problem for both zoo born and wild young.’  

A baby meerkat (pictured) that disappeared from a Perth Zoo overnight may have been illegally taken by a visitor or falling prey to a wild bird

A baby meerkat (pictured) that disappeared from a Perth Zoo overnight may have been illegally taken by a visitor or falling prey to a wild bird

One of the zookeepers realised the helpless meerkitten (pictured) was missing from its open-air enclosure during a routine inspection on Wednesday evening

One of the zookeepers realised the helpless meerkitten (pictured) was missing from its open-air enclosure during a routine inspection on Wednesday evening

One of the zookeepers realised the helpless meerkitten (pictured) was missing from its open-air enclosure during a routine inspection on Wednesday evening

The message also stated the meerkitten may have been illegally taken from its enclosure by one of the zoo’s visitors. 

Perth Zoo curator John Lemon told Daily Mail Australia the infant meerkat remains missing and officials are investigating both possible angles.

‘Globally, it’s not unheard of for people to take specimens of all descriptions from zoos,’ Mr Lemon said.

‘Obviously, meerkats have very specialised diets and care and our priority is the health and welfare of the newborn. 

‘If the youngster has been illegally taken, we appeal for its safe return,’ he said.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk