IBARAKI, Osaka Prefecture—Standing upright on his hind legs and gazing vigilantly out of a window, a rescued meerkat has become an unexpected symbol of safety and charm at a small police outpost here.
The little furry creature known as Ragu has captured local hearts, as well as social media attention, with his unique daily “patrols” on the second-floor windowsill of the police box.
Photos of Ragu keeping watch from the window have amassed more than 40,000 likes since a post featuring him on the local police’s official Instagram account went viral in late June.
Ragu’s origin story began three years ago when police took him in after the meerkat was found wandering alone in a local neighborhood.
When no one came forward to claim him after several weeks, a 55-year-old inspector at the police box offered to adopt the mongoose.
He made the decision after showing a video of the animal to his family, who said they wanted to keep the meerkat at the police box that also serves as their family home.
Since then, Ragu has become a regular fixture at the station.
Each morning and afternoon, he perches by the window to bask in the sun and scan the neighborhood—behavior that closely resembles the sentry stance meerkats are known for in the wild.
“He’s become part of our family,” said the inspector. “I hope he lives a long, happy life.”
Meerkats, native to southern Africa and part of the mongoose family, are a rare sight in Japan.
Ragu has adapted well to domestic life and feasts on a varied diet of vegetable and fruit; his favorites include apples, kiwi and peaches.
Locals initially mistook him for a monkey or a cat, but Ragu has since become a neighborhood icon, with some people say spotting Ragu brings good luck.
Although still wary of strangers, Ragu is affectionate with his adoptive family. When outside, he wears a harness and often perches on the inspector’s shoulder, chirping softly in an alert tone.
AloJapan.com