Regal Keisha the meerkat poses for camera at Telford zoo
Meet Keisha the meerkat, who loves nothing better than posing for a picture.
The friendly creature has no sense of personal space when it comes to his human friend.
Photographer Jason Garton, 43, gets to be up close and personal with his furry friends every day while working at Telford’s Exotic Zoo.
Jason said: “It’s not every day that you have an apprentice that is a meerkat.”
He described Keisha as his ‘furry little helper’.
The inquisitive meerkat is just two years old and enjoys exploring, especially if new visitors wear green just like the staff.
He said: “The animals are always so nosey, especially Keisha whose names stand for god-like queen.”
She takes her title seriously by meeting every person to come into her enclosure and ruling the exhibit.
The Telford Zoo offers many different experiences for visitors, the meerkat experience being one of numerous experiences.
Jason added: “To see people’s reactions to getting up close and personal with the animals is so rewarding.”
He’s been taking photos for the exotic zoo for two years and loves being able to share his work with others.
He added: “I have the best job in the world. Getting to work with the animals, getting that interaction and trust with them. The bond we share is just fantastic.
“The reaction from visitors is always great too – you can get as close as you’re comfortable with. We don’t agree with barriers.”
Visitors to the zoo can even pay to have the ‘photography experience’ and get close to the animals without the obstruction of the glass with the opportunity to spend an hour with a handler doing a photo shoot.
