Accused meerkat thief 'shocked' to learn animal costs more than $20k

A man and woman have faced Perth Magistrates Court over the alleged theft of a baby meerkat from Perth Zoo.

Jesse Ray Hooker, 22, is accused of stealing the meerkitten on September 19.

Aimee Cummins, 23, has been charged with receiving.

The disappearance of the one-month-old animal – a day before its first public appearance – sparked a frantic three-day search, with fears it was taken by a predatory bird.

The meerkitten was found 100km away by police at a house in Beverley.

The lawyer for the accused pair said it's not yet known how they intend to plea.

Outside court, Hooker said he was "shocked" to learn the animal was worth more than $20,000.

They have been released on bail and will face court again in November.