Lincoln Park Zoo population grows with new piglets, dwarf mongooses

Lincoln Park Zoo announced the arrival of 11 baby animals Thursday — four dwarf mongoose pups and seven piglets.

The litter of dwarf mongooses was born Oct. 7 at the Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, and makes a total of 11 mongooses born at the zoo since the beginning of the year, according to a post on the zoo’s website.

The mouse-sized arrivals are often carried through the exhibit by their older siblings. The pups’ birth came about because of a breeding recommendation from the Dwarf Mongoose Species Survival Plan, according to the zoo.

Dwarf mongooses are common in eastern Africa and feed on insects, eggs and small lizards.

Just a few weeks later, on Monday, the zoo welcomed another litter of new arrivals —seven Mangalitsa piglets born at the Farm-in-the-Zoo! area. Mangalitsa pigs are known for their long, curly hair.

The piglets are enjoying a steady stream of their mother’s milk, and their fur will fill in as they grow at the Livestock Barn over the winter.

The baby animals are on display at the zoo, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.