Category: General

Lazuli dominant male Polon with pups Weasel and Fledermaus. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

This month brings the best news and the worst.  The good news is that the Oxford Scientific film crew will be returning to the KMP to gather footage for the next iteration of the popular television show, Meerkat Manor.  Approximately six months of filming will begin next month. The new season is expected to air in 2021 or early 2022.  In order to avoid any spoilers, information on the three groups to be filmed – Whiskers, Lazuli and Hakuna Matata- will not be published in future Meerkatters and Life Histories, but may be at a later date.

The bad news is that Polon (VJXM095), beloved dominant male of Lazuli was predated on the 13th of this month.  His life story is featured in this month’s Meerkatter.  At eight months old, Polon became the youngest dominant male in the project’s history.  He fathered 28 individuals during his reign.  Polon was an endearing character and will be greatly missed.

Find the December 2019 Life History here.

Click here for the December 2019 Meerkatter.

Pet’s claws. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

KMP favorite, Pet (VCM001) is featured in this month’s Meerkatter. Pet was first seen as a juvenile in 2011 with now Whiskers dominant male Brea (VLM157) and brother Rubio (VLM155). With no fear of humans and a botched declaw on his right paw, it was suspected he had previously been kept a s a pet and hence his name, Pet.  Pet and Alan Johnson’s Beemer (VLF206) formed Hakuna Matata in 2016.  Pet returned to his roving ways in July of this year after the loss of Alan Johnson’s Beemer, but returned to the project farmhouse area this month and is seen on a daily basis. Now approximately 8 years old, it is hoped that Pet will rejoin to Hakuna Matata.

Former dominant male and co-founder of Hakuna Matata, Pet. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

There was a baby boom at the KMP this month.  Contributing was Whiskers dominant female Swift (VWF176) who gave birth to her 21st litter.

(Little) Creatures was found at the beginning of the month and The Worm’s Heart (VCRM010) was collared.

Little Creatures The Worm’s Heart. Photo by meerkat volunteer Lea Sueur

Find the November 2019 Life History details here.

Find the November 2019 Meerkatter here

Little Creatures Kanye. Photo by meerkat volunteer Lea Sueur

October was noted for a high number of rovers emigrating and

Zulus then-dominant male Palestrina (center) with Poma and Special Sauce. Photo y KMP Visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

immigrating into groups as is typical in the Kalahari summer. Notably, Elrond’s Council’s habituation level has substantially increased with the influx of fully habituated meerkats from Zulus. In fact, former Zulus dominant male Palestrina (VLM211) gained dominance  in Elrond’s Council alongside Tayl Baez (VBBF117).

Whiskers males Pixie (VWM210), Scuzi  (VWM213) and Lilac (VWM214) have been accepted into Zulus after being repeatedly chased away.

Both collared males at (Little) Creatures, Kanye (VCRM002) and Watu Porini (VJXM104) were found dead.  A search is on for the group in order to collar a new individual

Find the October 2019 Life History details here.

Find the October 2019 Meerkatter here.

Whiskers dominant couple Brea (front) and Swift. Photo by KMP visitor Laura Salamone-Maiden

Brea (VLM157), dominant male of of Whiskers since October 2014, turned ten years old this month.  This is quite an achievement for a meerkat! This month’s Meerkatter features some of the highlights of his life including helping to form the Cavemen group in 2011.

Lazuli suffered a number of losses this month, including Sigma’s (VLF230) litter, some for unknown reasons.  There is some speculation that culprit lay somewhere down in the burrow, but nothing was ever seen.

Tswana’s Lil’ Nasty (VTSF002) was predated, leaving three dye-marked and seven wild individuals in the group. None are wearing a radio collar.

Whiskers dominant male Brea. Photo by KMP visitor Laura salamone-Maiden

Find the September 2019 Life History details here.

Find the September 2019 Meerkatter here.