Several meerkats have died after they became trapped under a collapsed tunnel at a wildlife park in Leicestershire.

Rescuers were only able to save one meerkat from the underground rubble at Tropical Birdland in Desford, and said they were “heartbroken” to find the rest had died after what they called a “catastrophic turn of events”.

In a social media post, the team said the group’s matriarch “Big Mama” was an “experienced mother” whose mob was “very well practiced” in digging tunnels, but that “sudden heavy rainfall” after the heatwave had caused the tunnels to crumble.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the news of the passing of our beloved Meerkats,” they wrote on Facebook.

“Most of last week our matriarch 'Big Mama' had her mob digging out and preparing a fresh chamber underground, ready for the arrival of her next litter of pups. Big Mama was an experienced mother, having several litters over the years, and her mob were very well practiced in digging tunnels and chambers.

“After an unusually long heatwave, the ground was ideal for digging. In an unexpected and catastrophic turn of events, the sudden heavy rainfall after such a long hot dry spell compromised the structure of the tunnels causing them to collapse.

“Staff were able to locate where the Meerkats were underground and were able to rescue one member of the mob, but were heartbroken to find the rest of the group had passed away.”

They said the team are regularly spending time with the surviving member of the group to provide comfort and monitor its condition.

“This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the Team,” they added. “We thank you all for your continued support during this difficult and upsetting time.”

Visitors reacted with sadness to the news, with one commenting: “Such heartbreaking news to hear, I’ve been and visited a few times and loved the meerkats, hopefully the one survivor manages to pull through and manages to maintain strong through this time.”

Another added: “This is just awful news I hope the survivor is doing well, they must miss their mob terribly.”