Vern, the warthog

ATLANTA - May 16, 2007 - Construction continues at Zoo Atlanta on Kalahari Connections, a new meerkat and warthog habitat, set to officially open in mid-June. The last warthog arrived on Saturday, May 12, completing the acquisition of two warthogs and nine meerkats.

Warthogs are indigenous to southern Africa. Vern, a one-year-old, arrived earlier this year from the Erie Zoo in Erie, Pa. He recently completed his 30-day quarantine period, which is standard protocol for all new animals arriving at Zoo Atlanta. Vern will remain behind-the-scenes in the Zoo’s hoofstock barn while his new habitat is being prepared.

His companion, one-year-old Shirley, arrived on May 12 from a private facility in Texas. She will be in quarantine for the next 30 days. Following that time, animal management staff will begin behind-the-scenes introductions of the breeding pair to prepare them for future introductions into their new habitat. The pair is not expected to breed for a couple of years.

The nine meerkats, indigenous to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, arrived in early May from the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina. They will be in quarantine for the next 30 days. Meerkats, which have a complex group structure, are well-known for their “family dramas.” This “mob” as they are known, currently being led by a female named Scurry and her brother Big Flinch, has not been without its share. Two of the nine meerkats were forced to travel to Zoo Atlanta separately as a result of a dispute in the group. Efforts are currently underway to reintroduce the two meerkats back into the mob.

Presented by Georgia Power

The warthogs and the meerkat mob will be introduced into their new habitats in June with the opening of Kalahari Connections on June 20.

Made possible by Georgia Power, the new naturalistic habitats will include special viewing areas to enable guests to watch the engaging activities of both species. The habitats are being constructed in the African Plains section of the Zoo, one of the country’s premier naturalistic environments for multiple species. The African Plains simulate the terrain of the East African savanna and features elephants, giraffe, black rhino, waterbuck, bongo, yellow-backed duiker, Thomson’s gazelle and zebra.

Zoo Atlanta will also welcome two new mascots to its ranks with the addition of warthog and meerkat costumed characters. Both characters will be named as part of an online poll hosted by Zoo Atlanta on its website at zooatlanta.org beginning next week. The characters will make appearances at most of the Zoo’s special events held throughout the year. 

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 155 of 159 counties. Georgia Power’s rates are well below the national average and it serves 2.3 million customers. For more information visit www.southerncompany.com/gapower. 

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