A mob of meerkats have died after a network of their tunnels collapsed during "sudden heavy rain".
Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire, confirmed on Monday one meerkat was rescued, but staff discovered the rest of the mob had died as a result of the collapse.
A spokesperson for the wildlife attraction said the meerkats had been digging out a fresh underground chamber, as the matriarch, named Big Mama, was expecting her next litter.
"This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the team," the spokesperson added.
In an online statement, officials at the attraction said the ground had been ideal for digging due to the prolonged hot and dry weather, but heavy rain had "compromised the structure of the tunnels, causing them to collapse".
The spokesperson added that staff were "regularly spending time with the surviving member of the group to comfort and monitor closely".
The centre has not confirmed how many died in the collapse, but previous footage showed several meerkats were homed at the attraction.
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