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Here's how you can feed your ex's spirit animal (a bug) to a meerkat

A timeless Valentine's gift.

Mihai Andrei
February 8, 2019 @ 5:38 pm

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Looking to get yourself a present for Valentine’s and rub it in your ex’s face? El Paso Zoo has you covered.

All you need to do is message them on Facebook with your ex’s name and then wait until Valentine’s (February 14th). They will feed the named bug to a meerkat during an event called “Quit Bugging Me”, which will be live streamed on both Facebook and the zoo’s website. The Ex’s names will also be displayed on the meerkat. It’s the perfect gift for that bugging ex, say the zoo managers.

“This is a fun way to get the community involved in our daily enrichment activities,” El Paso Zoo event coordinator Sarah Borrego told CBS News. “The meerkats love to get cockroaches as a snack and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by feeding them a cockroach named after your ex!”

https://www.facebook.com/elpasozoo/photos/a.482518977621/10156975620942622/?type=3&theater

This isn’t the only zoo to do this. The Hemsley Conservation Center (HCC) in Kent, England, will name a cockroach after your ex in exchange for a small donation.

“The HCC is offering the chance to name a cockroach in honor of your friend’s worthless ex-“someone” on this special holiday of love. We are highlighting these creatures through our ‘name a cockroach programme’ (we think adopt is a little too strong, after all – you probably don’t want to adopt your friend’s ex) to raise money for our projects at the zoo.”

The Bronx Zoo has a similar programme, calling it a “timeless” and “eternal” gift. Well, I don’t know about that, but it’s definitely perfectly spiteful.

“After the chocolates have been eaten and the flowers wilt, roaches remain thriving and triumphant. Give the gift that’s eternal and Name a Roach for Valentine’s Day,” the Bronx Zoo writes.

If you like the idea but have an actual Valentine, we have some excellent and varied tips for science-themed and geeky gifts.

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