Author: Laura

Jaxx dominant female Baloo in 2020
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

October’s Meerkatter features a discussion on meerkat pups and heartwarming accounts of the return of missing pups.  There was much pregnancy drama with Jaxx this month, that ended with pups being born to Jaxx females, other than dominant female Baloo (VJXF080), for the first time since 2016.

Ubuntu dominant female Daisy looking rough in 2022
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Ubuntu dominant female Daisy (VBBF111), and one of the stars of Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty, was found predated.  While the details are not known, Daisy had been losing condition in the preceding months and this may have made her an easy target for predators.

Namaqua Luisa and Mia in 2022 
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Tuberculosis continues in Namaqua.  Both dominant female Manzai (VNQF013), and subordinate female Mia (VNQF027) are showing signs of TB and it is suspected that missing Luisa (VNQ031), has succumbed to the disease.

Luna has settled in as dominant female of Whiskers since Swift’s (VWF176) passing last month.  Elderly Brea (VLM157), has remained in the group as dominant male for the time being.

Whiskers dominant male Brea in March 2020
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

For the October 2022 Meerkatter click here.

Find the October 2022 Life History Chart here.

The updated Group Territories Map is here.

Swift and Brea, Whiskers dominant couple Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

September was a noteworthy month for the Whiskers with both highs and lows. Dominant male Brea (VLM157) turned a record 13-years-old, making him the oldest meerkat in the history of the KMP.  He looks a bit worse for wear these days, but he is hanging in there! Sadly though, his long-time partner, dominant female Swift (VWF176), passed away of unknown causes shortly before his birthday.  Swift’s adult daughter Luna (VWF235) took over dominance.  Without Swift, and Luna likely being Brea’s daughter, Brea’s future in Whiskers is now uncertain. On an encouraging note, for the first time in 6 months, there are surviving pups in Whiskers from a mixed litter of Laika’s (VWF236) and Flake’s (VWF247).

Whiskers Luna
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Former Trackie-Daks dominant female, Whiskers-born Bel-Hurricane (VWF231), resurfaced after disappearing in early July.  While she has not re-joined Trackie-Daks, she is sticking close by.

Swift’s son, Alba dominant male Jay-a-Rod (VWM216), was assumed to have been predated.  His radio collar was found in a bird of prey’s nest.  Alba dominant female Pippin (VECF003) was given her LAST SEEN this month as well.

Alba with dominants Jay-a-Rod and Pippin
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Find the September 2022 Meerkatter here.

Click here for the September 2022 Life History Chart.

The Group Territories Map is found here.

Namaqua dominant male Umfana. Photo credit Laura Salamone-Maiden

The project’s dominant females were very busy this month.  Almost every group’s female leader gave birth!

Subgroups, including Zulus 4, Make-e-Plan 5, and two unnamed groups, were featured in this month’s Meerkatter.

Namaqua dominant female Manzai. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Namaqua suffered more losses from tuberculosis, including its dominant male Umfana (VZUM034).  The mob is now down to eight individuals. Other members, including dominant female Manzai (VNQF013), are showing signs of TB as well.

Ubuntu’s habituation is now complete due to adult subordinate male, Captain Barbosa’s (VLM265), improved comfort level around the KMP observers.  Following the disappearance of the group’s dominant male, Ogg (VHMM047), his littermate brother, Greebo (VHMM048) has taken over

Ubuntu Captain Barbosa. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

the top spot next to dominant female Daisy (VBBF111).

Whiskers dominant female Swift (VWF176) gave birth, but her litter was lost before emergence.

Click here for the August 2022 Meerkatter.

Find the August 2022 Life History Chart here.

Elrond’s Council Mojo Jojo and Shisharka. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

With the disappearance of Elrond’s Council dominant female Calypso (VEC027) in April, Elrond’s Council remains unstable and its future uncertain.  Two remaining yearling females, Mojo Jojo (VECF038) and Snoop Kat (VECF039), have been competing for dominance for four months.  At issue is that they are both likely to be the offspring of the group’s dominant male, Palestrina (VLM211), and probably would not mate with him.

This month’s Meerkatter features an article on a number of previously LAST SEEN individuals who have resurfaced.  It’s a good reminder that LAST SEEN doesn’t always mean gone for good!

Long-missing Lazuli Slop, as a pup. Photo by Lea Sueur

Almost Last Seen Zulus Bear and Mion. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Make-e-Plan’s surviving, previously abandoned pups, Jude (VMPP071) and Ranger (VMPM073), are hanging in there.  These two little ones were off to a rough start.  Fingers crossed they continue to persevere.

A baby boom is coming! Dominant females in Alba, Brussels Sprouts, Gold Diggers, Lazuli, Namaqua, Ubuntu, Whiskers and Zulus are all pregnant.

Namaqua dominant male Umfana. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Namaqua dominant male, Umfana (VZUM034) is showing symptoms of tuberculosis, Yearling subordinate male, Hanspeter (VNQM029), who was also suspected of suffering from TB, disappeared mid-month.

Find the July 2022 Meerkatter here.

Click here for the July 2022 Life History Chart.

Here is the July 2022 Groups territory Map