Belfast Zoo’s newest meerkats, Daffo and Dil, have been named in honour of Marie Curie’s iconic daffodil appeal.
The naming of the adorable and playful pair is also in recognition of the end-of-life care provider marking its 60th anniversary.
In January, the zoo received parents Sergey and Luna, who welcomed the male and female pups that same month.
Cute, spirited and with an appetite for mealworms, the meerkats’ birth was as surprise for zoo staff.
The naming of the pups was greatly welcomed by both fundraising and care staff at the charity, which believes that the monikers given to the two inquisitive and alert pups will greatly boost its efforts for this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity’s largest money-raising drive, which is held every March.
The appeal sees volunteers don the iconic yellow hat to collect funds on the street or undertake a challenge to raise money in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.
But Belfast Zoo has gone the extra mile, with the naming of Daffo and Dil.
Meerkats at Belfast Zoo (Pic: Kirsten Elder)
Welcoming the appropriate names was Marie Curie fundraiser Anne McRoberts.
“We are here today because of the Great Daffodil Appeal. It is something that we celebrate every single March each year.
“This year we are delighted that Belfast Zoo has named two of their little newborn meerkats Daffo and Dil.
“The support we get from Belfast Zoo is absolutely incredible. It helps to raise awareness of the daffodil and of the Great Daffodil Appeal as well, which is one of our largest fundraising campaigns.
“We have had an amazing start to the Great Daffodil Appeal, with collections right across Northern Ireland. There is a lot of amazing fundraising happening, lots of brilliant things going on.
“There’s still loads and loads of time to get involved, whether to fundraise or to volunteer to collect.
“I think we couldn’t have had two more appropriate names than Daffo and Dil.
“When you put your daffodil on, make a donation, pick up your daffodil, or wear your daffodil, we hope that you too will remember the names of Daffo and Dil.”
Before feeding the meerkat family some well-deserved mealworms, senior zookeeper Ruairi Donaghy introduced the fluffy pair of siblings.
“We just want to highlight the importance of the care in which Marie Curie brings to the community.
“I know personally they have touched lives of people in my life and family, to which they offer end-of-life care, which a lot of other facilities may not offer.
“I think it is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness. And through this they are here today to name our meerkats.”
He added: “These guys are only three months old. Meerkats grow very quickly; they all play a keen role [in a group].
“Behind me they are playing sentry at the moment. It is very important to look out for predators or anything that can sneak up on them or cause them harm.”
Speaking about the 60th anniversary of the charity was Marie Curie healthcare assistant Angela Duffy.
“I think it is amazing that we’ve been able to provide this care support for 60 years, and long it may continue,” she said.
“You only get one chance to give end-of-life care, and this is why we need the support.
“This is one of our months we do the most fundraising, and without it we couldn’t continue the care we give,” she said.
For more information on the charity, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk