Meerkats at ZSL London Zoo posted their Christmas wish lists after keepers installed a miniature postbox with their favourite crickets hidden inside.
Preparations are under way for the zoo to reopen on Wednesday, after a month-long closure.
Zookeeper Luke Taylor said: “All the meerkats want for Christmas is for people to visit the zoo this December – because booking a ticket will support the expert care of our 20,000 animals during this difficult time, and ZSL’s global science and conservation work.
Both the Zoological Society’s London and Whipsnade zoos were forced to close on November 4 as part of the nationwide lockdown.
The tourist attractions are reliant on ticket sales to care for the animals and fund global conservation efforts and the second closure has increased pressure on the charity zoos.
The public is encouraged to support the zoos by booking a ticket, joining as a member, or donating to ZSL at www.zsl.org/donate.
