New-born baby meerkats have survived against the odds despite being rejected at birth by their mother in a garden in York.

Meer pets: Andrew Mercer with meerkats Rolly and Muffin. Pictures: Frank Dwyer

Andrew Mercer, 26, from Badger Hill, has been hand-rearing the two five-week-old meerkats on puppy milk, lactol and minced chicken in his front room.

He has been breeding meerkats for more than two years after acquiring the mother and father from a breeder in Wales. He now has a family of five living in his parent's back garden.

Andrew believes the mother, Meer, rejected the new babies because of the cold weather. He said: "She had three last September and they are all fine, probably because the weather was warmer then."

The two meerkats, which are now hamster size, were part of six born in Andrew's house last month. The mother rejected them instantly.

Four have since died. One was born dead. Andrew then tried to revive the others, but lost two and the fourth died a week later.

Brother and sister, Rolly and Muffin, are now living inside, under the care and affection of Andrew, while their mother remains in the garden.

Andrew said: "They can't be put back with their mother now, she would probably savage them. They will probably stay as house pets."

Andrew has kept unusual pets since childhood. As well as the meerkats, his collection includes squirrels, sugar gliders (small marsupials) and dormice.

Andrew has to get up every two hours during the night to bottle-feed the meerkats. "I've become very attached. I'm tired, but it has been worth it," he said.

A spokesman for Flamingo Land, near Malton, said: "As with many wild animals that have lost their mother from birth, the survival of her new off-spring at the hands of a human is highly commendable."

Tim Thomas, senior wildlife officer at the RSPCA said: "Meerkats have become very desirable pets as a result of the film Lion King, which shows them as very personable creatures. But they need specialist food, veterinary care and an open environment."

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