It’s a season of growth and curiosity at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Over the past few months, four litters of meerkat kits have been welcomed into the zoo’s meerkat population.

Moms Keeya and Naledi each gave birth to two litters this season, bringing the total number of meerkats at the Zoo to 21. These additions reflect the zoo’s commitment to maintaining a healthy, sustainable population as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP). Keeya and Naledi are each raising seven kits, surrounded by a supportive, closely bonded family group known as a “mob.”

“These animals thrive in strong social structures, and what we’re seeing is truly heartwarming,” says Kids’ Zone Curator Natalie Davis. “Even the 2-month-old kits have been seen caring for the newest arrivals, offering comfort, grooming, and even standing guard. That cooperative spirit is an essential part of meerkat life.”

Keepers are monitoring the family groups closely and adjusting routines and habitats to support their evolving needs, always prioritizing wellbeing and safety.

Guests can catch the meerkat action in Kids’ Zone, where the mobs take turns rotating through the habitats. Watch for tiny kits popping out of burrows, mimicking their older siblings, or darting across the sand in search of snacks. Whether they’re exploring or curled up in a cozy den, there’s never a dull moment with these curious little diggers.