TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A towering, 2-meter-tall meerkat sculpture carved from driftwood has become a popular attraction at Kaohsiung's Shoushan Zoo, Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau said Thursday (Nov. 7).

The meerkat was voted the zoo's most popular animal last year. Driftwood artist Wang Wei-chuan (王偉權) created the sculpture of a meerkat playing an instrument to symbolize harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.

Creating art from driftwood aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the city’s Tourism Bureau noted. It also inspires environmental consciousness and the ethical treatment of animals.

A visitor observed that the driftwood meerkat served as a unique educational tool. It captivated her child and sparked a conversation about meerkats, she said.

Beyond the driftwood meerkat, the zoo's commitment to sustainability extends to environmentally friendly toys for the animals. The meerkat area, for instance, showcases a collection of handmade toys crafted from recycled materials.

These social creatures, known for their love of insects, rely on a dedicated guard system within their groups. Upon spotting a predator, the meerkat sentry emits a distinctive warning call, alerting the rest of the group to potential danger.

The dark patches around their eyes, often humorously called “dark circles,” serve a practical purpose. They function like sunglasses, enabling the meerkats to see clearly under harsh sunlight, or even when looking directly at the sun.