THE Darling Downs Zoo welcomed six meerkats to a brand new enclosure at the weekend in a first for the state.

The arrival has been 40 years in the works, as the animals have been allowed in zoos in other states but never before in Queensland.

"This is a two-stage project, we have been approved for a single sex group of six female meerkats," said zoo owner Steve Robinson.

"We'll probably keep them for a year and then seek an amendment to our approval to get six males for breeding," he said.

Two meerkats - named Savannah and Scamper - came from a New South Wales while four came from Perth through a regional breeding program which ensures the genetic diversity of zoo animals.

Despite their name these curious critters are more closely related to mongooses than cats.

As soon as the sun rises, the lively creatures are on the go, constantly digging and taking watch.

Mr Robinson said that once the meerkats are used to their new home, he hoped to introduce close up encounters for visitors to the zoo.

"I imagine they'll be a wonderful drawcard for the Darling Downs Zoo," he said.

"We've just celebrated our tenth birthday this weekend with the highest attendance for the first weekend of winter holidays we've ever had, and achieved accreditation with the national zoo association which for a family-owned regional zoo is difficult."

"The meerkats have been the icing on the cake to cap off a huge June for us."