Author: Laura

Namaqua dominant female Skirmish in 2020. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

Tuberculosis has reared its ugly head again in Namaqua with two individuals succumbing to this devastating disease including dominant female Skirmish VNQF009.  Following Skirmish’s death, Manzai VNGF01, took over dominance.  Zulus born ex-Elrond’s Council, Umfana VZUM034, became

Namaqua Manzai with then-pup Hiccup in 2020. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

the  de-facto dominant male after the remaining males left to go roving.

Habituation progress continues to be made with Gold Diggers, Trackie-Daks and Phoenix as well as with individual Lazuli  meerkats Odin VLM206 and Captain Barbosa VLM265.   Side Quest’s habituation is complete.  The group’s size has increased to 9 with the emergence of two pups this month.

Umfana as a Zulus sub-adult in 2019. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

Find the July 2021 Meerkatter here.

For the July 2021 Life History Chart click here.

The group territories map is here. Note that the main road bisects Hakuna Matata territory.

Side Quest’s Dominant Female Pumba. Photo credit Laura Salamone, KMP visitor

New group Side Quest is featured in this month’s Meerkatter. Zulus sisters Pumba VZUF048 and Timon VZUF049, Elrond’s Council’s Legolas VECM009 and four skittish juveniles make up this new group.  Since three of Side Quest’s meerkats were previously habituated, researchers are already collecting data.  Within weeks, it is expected Side Quest’s habituation will be complete.

Elrond Council’s Umfana VZUM034 immigrated into Namaqua. The status of the dominant male in Namaqua is unknown. Yearling female Chandler VNQF017 is missing from the group. She was last seen with clear symptoms of TB.  Dominant female Skirmish

Skirmish as a pup in 2019. Photo credit Lea Sueur, meerkat volunteer

VNQF009 is also showing symptoms of TB.

Galadriel VECF032 is the new dominant female of Elrond’s Council.

For the June 2021 Meerkatter click here.

Find the June 2021 Life History Chart here.

Elrond Council’s Charlie, Arya, and Tolkien in 2020. Photo by Life History Coordinator Shaz Alderton

This month Elrond’s Council dominant female Tayl Baez VBBF117 was given her last seen.  She is assumed deceased since her radio collar continued to give off signal at a burrow without the rest of the group for several days. Tayl Baez’s story is featured in this month’s Meerkatter.

Jaxx had an encounter with wild meerkats, resultig in the death of a juvenile wildy.

Gold Digger’s habituation status is in Advanced Progress.  All individuals are dye-marked, weighable and two-hour follows are possible.

Pumba and Timon in December 2019. Photo by Life History Coordinator Shaz Alderton.

A new group has been found and named Side Quest.  It consists of Zulus Adult sisters Pumba VZUF048 and Timon VZUF049, Elrond’s Council adult male Legolas VECM009 and four juveniles.

For the May 2021 Meerkatter click here

Find the May 2021 Life History Chart here

Zulus Sauce in 2018. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

Sadly, Namaqua’s dominant male Sauce VZUM026 was predated by a Martial Eagle this month.  Born into Zulus in 2016 to then-dominant female Poma VZUF007, he is profiled in this month’s Meerkatter.   Also in Namaqua, both yearling subordinate females Mononoke Hime VNQF014 and Manzai VNQF013 immigrated back into the group after leaving in January.  They had been considered Last Seen last month.

Pup emergences continue this month, most notably with Gold Diggers with their mixed litter of ten pups!  These pups were all from subordinate females including Meghan VGDF018, Goldeneye VGDF007 and Fleabag VGDF005.  By the end of the month all ten pups were still present and all had been out foraging on several occasions.  Gold Diggers habituation level is in Advanced Progress now.  All individuals have been dye-marked and the group is able to be followed by observers for up to two hours

Zulus Sauce in 2018. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

For the March 2021 Life History chart click here.

Find the March 2021 Meerkatter here.