Author: Evi

2018-09 September LH Files

The September Life History files have been uploaded.

  • Baobab are down to 3 individuals suffering from TB; I fear October will mark the end of this once so successful group… Van Helsing, who also have some individuals with TB symptoms, experienced 13 group splits this month – with subordinate Goblin (VVHF100) leading the healthier part of the group.
  • LLCoolJ is now dominant at Little Creatures; his long-term companion Jazzy Jeff keeps roving – but couldn’t join a new group (yet).
  • Whiskers’ Swift had a litter at the end of September – just after dominant male Brea turned 9 years old!
  • Several of the habituation groups make good progress, with more individuals hopping on the scales or coming near the researchers.
  • The nights are still very cold (down to -7°C/19.4°F – when only two groups got up in the morning).

Click here to download the LH Table.

Friends will find “The Meerkatter” issue here (login needed).

Photo safari to the KMP and Kalahari

We all know that the KMP meerkats are extremely photogenic – yet the KMP can usually not cater to the needs of wildlife photographers… with the exception of the Kalahari Meerkats Photographic Safari operated by Duma Safaris!

Join this exclusive safari aimed at people with a passion both for photography and the meerkats and the Kalahari. Apart from an 4-day stay at the KMP the June 2019 tour will also take you to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its stunning wildlife and scenery.

Interested? Find more information here or on Duma Safaris website.

2018-08 August LH Files

The August Life History files have been uploaded.

The project has seen a few changes in male dominance, in August: Long-term dominant males Kuçuk at Van Helsing and Pi at Make-a-Plan were both found dead at the end of the month – Kuçuk from TB and Pi from predation. On a lighter note, LL Cool J (recently subordinate at Jaxx) has moved to Little Creatures, there probably filling the dominant male position.
Other than that, the Kalahari is waiting for a hopefully good rainy Summer season even though nights in August have still been exceptionally cold.

Click here to download the LH Table.

Friends will find “The Meerkatter” issue here (login needed).

2018-07 July LH files

The July Life History files have been uploaded.

Bad news from several groups:
  • Baobab is suffering badly from TB – most animals show signs now.
  • Unfortunately, also Van Helsing have a few individuals with TB symptoms.
  • Gold Diggers’ only collared individual was predated, so the group is currently being tracked again.
Good news are that there were 5 successful births with surviving litters – uncommon for July, but similar to 2016 when late rains after a too dry rainy season led to a late breeding season.

Click here to download the LH Table.

Friends will find “The Meerkatter” issue here (login needed).