August 2026 Life History File

KMP meerkat losses from tuberculosis (TB) continued into August. Two much-loved males – Brussels Sprouts subordinate adult Gurke (VHMM036) and Side Quest dominant male Legolas (VECM009) – were given their LAST SEEN. Both of these iconic males are highlighted in the August Meerkatter.

The newly formed Khoisan (KH) group is no longer being followed due to the loss of the group’s collared individual, Princess Carolyn (VTDM013), and all remaining seven individuals infected with TB.

Alba is also suffering badly from TB. Nineteen out of the 25 members are showing signs of declining health including dominant female Cleopatra (VALF008) and dominant male Pucky (VECM023). The group experienced numerous group splits in August and a new sub-group was established as a result of one of the splits. A wild male is acting as part of Alba and is displaying dominance behavior. Subordinate adult male Disco (VALM029) is now wearing the group’s collar due to Cleopatra’s poor health.

Brussels Sprouts subordinate males Porcini (VBSM012), Gizmo (VBSM018), and Shiitake (VBSM014) are all showing signs of TB.

No other individuals at Side Quest besides dominant female Pumba (VZUF048) and adult subordinate male Tex (VSIM035) are showing signs of TB. Tex has been missing from the group since August 17th.

Elrond’s Council sub-adult Scholesy (VECM078) was given his LAST SEEN. The overall health of the group has declined severely. No-Teeth-Keith (VECM074) is the only member without signs of TB. Eldest subordinate female Cadenza’s (VECF059) inguinal lump burst and she has lost significant weight.

Eldest subordinate male Zuma (VZUM059) has been confirmed as the dominant male at Vetkoeks after receiving the required number of submissions from the mature males in the group. Yearling female Thotho (VVKF027) was given her LAST SEEN.

Whiskers adult subordinate male Agent K (VWM276) spent most of August absent from the group. He left on the 20th and had not returned by the end of the month. Whiskers is now classified a full data collection group.

Zulus dominant female Leona (VZUF070) aborted her litter. Sub-adult male Mandu (VZUM086) and sub-adult female Dee (VZUF095) were given their LAST SEEN.

Enough habituation progress has been made with Dik-Diks dominant female Juliet (VGDF009) and eldest adult female Shelby (VGDF022) to make Dik-Diks a full data collection group.

Ubuntu dominant female Agazoth (VUBF039) gave birth. Ubuntu yearling subordinate females Moppie (VUBF081) and Stella (VUBF083) were given their LAST SEEN.

Jaxx dominant female Jub Jub (VJXF160), Hogwarts dominant female Salazar (VZUF051) and Trackie-Daks dominant female Agazoth (VTDF041) all gave birth in                                                                  August. Trackie-Daks sub-adult female Unathi (VTDF063) was given her LAST SEEN.

 

A new group of approximately 8 individuals was discovered following an intergroup interaction with the Lazuli at a sleeping burrow. Two of the group’s individuals were natal Lazuli females that had been given their LAST SEEN in January 2024 – Chicken (VLF289) and Audumbla (VLF296). The new group is named Nova (NA).

Click here for the August 2026 Meerkatter.

The August 2026 Life History Chart is found here.

Find the latest Group Territory Map here.