Meerkat cub Jim: Cheeky badger with big plans for the future!
The meerkat cub Jim was born in Leipzig Zoo. Find out more about its development and life in the zoo.

Meerkat cub Jim: Cheeky badger with big plans for the future!
Leipzig Zoo, one of the hottest animal parks in Germany, recently has a new leading actor. A cute meerkat named Jim has seen the light of day and is bringing a lot of fresh air to the popular meerkat enclosure, which is looked after by the well-known animal keeper Jörg Gräser. Loud Thuringia24 Jim was born on April 18, 2025 and is said to have the name of his “great-grandpa”.
At around seven weeks old, Jim is almost as big as Grass's hand and is proving to be a curious, cheeky badger. The little rascal is still dependent on the help of his mother Sally, who suckles him regularly. He has even tried his first solid foods, another step in his development. The little meerkats are usually weaned after five to six weeks, but Jim will probably enjoy this status for a while longer DAY24 supplemented.
The exciting life of meerkats
In the meerkat world, hierarchy is hotly contested, and Gräser has already outlined the challenges that come with it. Jim's father, Jan, may be trying to block his sexual development by emitting pheromones. One day, however, Jim might overthrow or kill his father in order to take power. A dark but not uncommon possibility in this social animal species that does not shy away from violent situations. After all, the royal couple in the meerkat hierarchy usually doesn't live long. These aspects bring Süddeutsche.de in the context of the new young talent.
The exciting lives of these animals are not only fascinating to watch, but also of great importance to the zoo. Jim and his siblings represent the promising future of meerkat breeding in Leipzig. Social interaction within the group plays a particularly crucial role. The young animals learn from their older family members and are cared for by the entire clan. In the special meerkat enclosure, the animals also have a small pool with fish to play in and cool off in, which Gräser set up.
A look into the future
The future looks bright for Jim. If there are more offspring, the young meerkat man could soon take on the role of babysitter as a teenager. Gräser and his team always strive to provide these small animals with the best possible care and to offer them a home that comes close to natural living conditions. From now on, visitors to the zoo can experience the little adventurer's development up close - and maybe even fall in love with his charms themselves.