Work to start on meerkat enclosure at Edinburgh Sick Kids

Under the plan, five non-breeding meerkats will be moved from the zoo to a new enclosure in the hospital's grounds, with care of the animals overseen by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).

First announced in 2023, it was initially expected the programme would launch last year.

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Children being cared for at the hospital will be given the opportunity to learn about nature from zookeepers and get up close to the meerkats.

The Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity, which has developed the plan, said the aims of the initiative include helping children and young people "feel less anxious in hospital" and engaging young visitors in "educational and interactive experiences that foster curiosity and joy during their time at the hospital".

It could also help patients "achieve clinical goals by experiencing a range of creative therapeutic interventions" and feel a "sense of belonging and personal achievement," it said.

The project will initially run as a 12-month trial, with plans to make it permanent thereafter.

(Image: Edinburgh Childrens Hospital Charity)

Planning documents liken the scheme to the use of therapy dogs in children's hospitals "to enhance the emotional and psychological well-being of young patients".

They said that like therapy dogs, meerkats "do not present a greater risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases compared to domestic dogs, making them a safe and beneficial option for therapeutic interactions while maintaining a no-touch policy with the animals".

While children will not be able to touch the meerkats, the animals are "trained to interact with them through the clear balustrades and viewing windows" on the enclosure, which will be fitted with feeding tubes.

The enclosure's design is divided into four parts: The internal meerkat enclosure with safe and secure area for feeding and sleeping, featuring an internal viewing window; while an external section of the enclosure will mimic the sand dunes, burrows, and natural wood and stone formations typical of their habitat, all enclosed by a glass balustrade for safety.

(Image: Edinburgh Childrens Hospital Charity)

The internal keeper's area will have direct access to both the indoor and outdoor meerkat enclosures. Additionally, there will be a locked double bin store within the keeper access area for the disposal of biowaste from cleaning the enclosure and any other waste.

The only other known example of such an initiative is at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, which RZSS contacted for advice when drawing up plans.

"This initiative has been active since the opening of The Royal Hospital for Children in 2012 and has not faced any challenges," planning documents state.

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"The feedback received has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the positive effects the meerkats have had on the children's well-being.

"They have also provided insights on how to further enhance the project's benefits, and this guidance will be utilized in the program's future development."

A facilities and project management manager at the Melbourne hospital said of the meerkats: "They are by far, our most popular residents.

"You only have to spend some time down in the space and you can see the joy that the children get from interacting with the animals and watching them."