Author: Laura

Side Quest Legolas (VECM009)

Side Quest Pumba (VZUF048)

The March 2026 Meerkatter covers a topic that many of you have been waiting for – the history and current status of tuberculosis (TB) at the project. As previously noted, Elrond’s Council has been severely affected by TB. However, TB is currently impacting the project’s other groups including Alba and Side Quest. At Alba, subordinate adult male Bibu (VALM014) has developed multiple lumps which began to burst this month. His health declined and he left the group on several occasions for a week or longer. At the end of the month, Bibu was not seen with Alba.

More troubling is what is occurring with Side Quest. Dominant male Legolas (VECM009) developed a small lump on his jaw at the beginning of March. This quickly grew into a large submandibular lump which has since burst. Worse yet,

Side Quest Tex (VSIM035)

is the appearance of a small lump on dominant female Pumba’s (VZUF048) left foot. Initially thought to be an unrelated injury, it did not heal and there is concern now that it is TB-related. The loss of a group’s dominant female has serious implications for the group’s survival. And signs of TB at Side Quest do not stop there – subordinate adult male Tex (VSIM035) has also developed a large submandibular lump.

Brussels Sprouts subordinate male Bubek (VBSM019) was not seen with the group after being injured in an inter-group interaction (IGI) with Zulus on March 28.

Lazuli Bean (VLF333)

Lazuli Sole (VLF332)

Lazuli lost three pups this month from a litter born at the end of December 2025. On March 15th, Bean (VLF333) was found dead after a suspected puff adder bite. On the 20th, pups Sole (VLF332) and Mad-One (VLF334) split from the group during an inter-group encounter with Gold Diggers and were not seen again.

Lazuli Mad-One (VLF334)

Dik-Diks Juilet (VGDF009) and Syl (VDDF037)

Dik-Diks pup, Syl (VDDF037), did not wake up with the group on the 28th and remained absent at the end of the month.

Elrond’s Council sub-adult male Fergie (VECM072), who was suffering from late-stage TB, was left behind by the group on the 17th. Yearling male Madarauchiha (VECM068) and sub-adult male Noah (VECM076) are showing signs of TB.

For the March 2026 Meerkatter click here.

Find the March 2026 Life History Chart here.

The latest Group Territory Map can be found here.

Princess Carolyn (VTDM013) in 2025

Jaxx Mr. Worldwide (VJXM200) and Callywag (VJXM219)

A new group was discovered this month 1.5 km south of Whiskers’ territory. The group is comprised of approximately 17 wild individuals and at least one pregnant female. One adult male who seemed comfortable around the observers was identified as Princess Carolyn (VTDM013), originally from Trackie-Daks and later immigrating into Whiskers.  This new habituation group has been named Khoisan (KS). Read more about Khoisan in the February Meerkatter.

February was a busy month for pups. Jaxx increased by five individuals with the birth of dominant female Jub Jub’s (VJXF160) pups – Callywag (VJXM219), Mikey (VJXF220), Tailbase (VJXM221), Chunky (VJXM222) and Gylly (VJXM223).  Side Quest dominant female

Pumba (VZUF048) gave birth to four pups – Doodlebob (VSIF062), Hammy (VSIM063), Blanket (VSIF064) and Ajax (VSIM065).

Side Quest Hammy (VSIM063)

Zulus VZU2601 litter pup

Ubuntu dominant female Agazoth (VUBF039) also gave birth to four pups – still unnamed VUBP095, VUBP096, VUBP097 and VUVP098. Dik-Diks dominant female Juliet (VGDF009) gave birth to four still unnamed pups as well – VDDF035, VDDF036, VDDF037 and VDDM038. Zulus yearling subordinate female Bonnie (VZUF077) gave birth on February 10th to Dee (VZUF095), Moratua (VZUF096), Makgabo (VZUF097) and Phuti (VZUM098).

Brussels Sprouts pup Tobias (VBSM025) did not wake up with the group on the 7th and was subsequently given his LAST SEEN. Lazuli pup Mac (VLP330) was given its LAST SEEN as well. Elrond’s Counsel pup Wazza (VECP079) was assumed predated.

Brussels Sprouts litter with Tobias (VBSM025)
Photo by Elizabeth Lee-Wong

Gold Diggers Broson (VGDM064)

Gold Diggers yearling male Broson (VGDM064) left the group on January 1st and has not been since. He was given his LAST SEEN.

Elrond’s Council continues to suffer from advanced tuberculosis. Four individuals were lost due to tuberculosis. Dominant male Jonsnow (VECM070) and subordinate yearling female Nalane  (VECF067) were seen to have large submandibular lumps that burst, as did yearling male Seven (VECM069) and sub-adult female Scary Mary (VECF075).  All four were euthanized.

Female dominance remains unconfirmed at Elrond’s Council. Male dominance is still unconfirmed at Vetkoeks as well.

Click here for the February 2026 Meerkatter.

Find the February 2026 Life History Chart here.

For the latest Group Territory Map click here.

Gold Diggers pup Mort (VGDM085)

Whiskers Luna (VWF279)

During the summer months in the Kalahari when resources for the meerkats are plentiful, subordinate females may be allowed to breed without eviction. This was detailed in the January 2026 Meerkatter with focus on Gold Diggers six pregnant subordinate females.

In January, Gold Diggers dominant female Goldeneye (VGDF007) gave birth to four surviving pups. Five pups of Lazuli dominant female Masiiwa (VLF308) emerged in January, as did five pups from Trackie-Daks dominant female Refilwe (VTDF041).

Female dominance remains unconfirmed at Elrond’s Council. Male dominance is still unconfirmed at Vetkoeks as well. Vetkoeks pup Evans (VVKM038) died from injuries sustained in an accident.

At Whiskers, sub-adult subordinate female Luna (VWF279) immigrated back into the group.

Alba Bibu (VALM014)

Elrond’s Council Dominsant Male Jonsnow (VECM070)

January marked the beginning of new instances of tuberculosis (TB) in some of the Project’s meerkat groups. At Alba, Bibu (VALM014) was seen to have a submandibular lump and more lumps on his groin and armpits upon his return from a group split. Elrond’s Council is suffering from advanced TB. Affected individuals are dominant male Jonsnow (VECM070), yearling subordinate male Seven (VECM069) and yearling subordinate female Nalane (VECF067).

Elrond’s Council Nalane (VECF067) 2025

Elrond’s Council Seven (VECM069) 2025

Click here for the January 2026 Meerkatter.

Find the January 2026 Life History Chart here.

The January 2026 Group Territories Map can be found here.

Vetkoeks L to R Zuma VZUM059, Seabiscuit VVKM022 and Ody VVKM021

Vetkoeks meerkat group is highlighted in the December 2025 Meerkatter. The importance of group territory and its influence on the group’s long-term survival is described in detail.

December is the height of the meerkat breeding season in the Kalahari. Dominant females from multiple groups gave birth including Alba’s Cleopatra (VALF008), Brussels Sprouts’ Arabella (VMPF035), Gold Diggers’ Goldeneye (VGDF007), Lazuli’s Masiiwa (VLF308) and Trackie-Daks Refilwe (VTDF041).  Jaxx dominant female Jub Jub (VJXF160) and Hogwarts dominant female Salazar (VZUF051) are pregnant as are Alba subordinate sub-adult Little Creek (VALF033), Gold Diggers subordinate females Peanut (VGDF047), Serafina Pekkala (VGDF049) and Manchego (VGDF054), yearling Aajpe (VGDF068), and Trackie-Daks subordinate sub-adults Kibo (VTDF049) and Timone (VTDF051).  Gold Diggers subordinate yearling female Shambles (VGDF066) aborted her litter. Dik-Diks eldest subordinate female Shelby ‘s (VGDF022) litter was lost before emergence.  Elrond’s Council subordinate yearling female Cadenza (VECF059) gave birth to four pups. Two pups emerged at Side Quest, 4 at Trackie-Daks, 4 at Ubuntu, 6 at Vetkoeks, 5 at Zulus and one at Dik-Diks. Side Quest pup (VSIP060) has an injured hide leg resulting in a serious limp. Dik-Diks pup Binky (VDDM034) and Jaxx pup VJXU218 went missing and are assumed predated.

Whiskers Peppa (VWP290) center
Photo by Matt Shard

Whiskers Butternut (VWF299) left
Photo by Matt Shard

Whiskers lost three pups in December. Peppy (VWP290) did not wake up with the group on the 15th. Simz (VWF297) left the group on the 24th and did not return. Butternut (VWF299) was killed by Vetkoeks during an intergroup interaction (IGI).

Elrond’s Council Jonsnow (VECM070)

Elrond’s Council Nalane (VECF067)

Female dominance remains unconfirmed at Elrond’s Council. Yearling males Goujon (VECM062) and Bazooka (VECM065) are considered emigrated out. Dominant male Jonsnow (VECM070), and yearlings Seven (VECM069) and Nalane (VECF067) are all showing signs of tuberculosis.

Click here for the December 2025 Meerkatter.

Find the December 2025 Life History Chart here.

For the latest Territory Map click here.

Elrond’s Council Seven (VECM069)