June 2025 life History File

Dramatic events continue to unfold with Whiskers. With former dominant female Archangel’s (VWF259) absence from the group on May 25th, dominance fell back on Gnoll (VWF262) – the only eligible female remaining in Whiskers.  But just four days later, natal females Kylie (VWF265), (pregnant) Bruce (VWF266) and Sheila (VWF267) returned…

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May 2025 Life History File

The curse of the tainted territory on the east side of the KRR, near Gannavlakte, continues. Renegades now appear to be headed toward the same fate as two previous groups that had occupied the same territory, Make-e-Plan and Nightwatch. Both these groups were disbanded due to tuberculosis (TB). In February…

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April 2025 Life History File

This month’s Meerkatter follows up on the outcomes of the differing strategies of the dominant females at Elrond’s Council and Dik-Diks in dealing with pregnant subordinates. Elrond’s Council dominant female Snoop Kat’s (VECF039) and Dik-Diks dominant female Juliet’s (VGDF009) strategies were first described in last month’s Meerkatter. Snoop Kat evicted…

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March 2025 Life History File

Late rains in the Kuruman River Reserve have extended the meerkat breeding season. There were 22 pregnancies recorded in March. The more rain, the more resources there are for the meerkats. How the different groups manage so many simultaneous pregnancies varies. This month’s Meerkatter highlights how two groups – Elrond’s…

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