Category: General

Whiskers Brea VLM157
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Whiskers Dominant Male Zuma
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

The October Meerkatter is all about the life of Whiskers former dominant male Brea (VLM157).  Brea has been absent since October 2nd. Due to his advanced age of14 years, he is assumed to have passed away.  Zulus-born Zuma (VZUM059) left Vetkoeks and immigrated into Whiskers on October 24, taking over the position of dominant male. Whiskers dominant female Luna’s (VWF235) last litter of pups were given their LAST SEEN on October 5th.

Madhubala VALF006
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

At Alba, the group is finally settled with Palestrina (VLM211) being confirmed as the new dominant male.  Palestrina has previously been the dominant male at Zulus and Elrond’s Council. Alba dominant female Tolkien (VECF019) lost one pup from her recent litter of three.  Emigrant yearling subordinate females Maya (VALF003) and Madhubala (VALF006) were given their LAST SEEN. Perhaps they will eventually turn up in a group of their own. Yearling subordinate male Nigoni (VALM004) was spotted at the Gannavlakte farmhouse with none other than adult female (and friend of squirrels) Magali (VUBF023).

Yearling male Chilli (VBSM005) took over male dominance from Gurke (VHMM036) following continuous dominance assertions at Brussels Sprouts.  Dominant female Arabella’s (VMPF035) litter was lost before emergence.

Cigarette Smoking Man
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Jaxx suffered several losses in October. Pups Igglybuff (VJXP186) and Cleffa (VJXP187) were assumed predated. Cigarette Smoking Man’s (VJXM153) radio collar was found under a nest.

At Lazuli, dominant male Odin (VLM266) relinquished his dominant position to go roving with other Laz boys, leaving Lazuli without a dominant male.  Dominant female Dumpling’s (VLF272) five pups from her most recent litter have emerged.

Runaways Dominant Male Shiraz VJXM122
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Dik-Diks dominant female Fleabag (VGDF005) has been missing since October 27th and Runaways dominant male Shiraz (VJXM222) has been absent since mid-month.

Click here for the October 2023 Meerkatter.

Find the October 2023 Life History Chart here.

The Group Territories Map is found here.

Magali VUBF023
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

A sweet story of Magali (VUBF023), the evicted Ubuntu female who founded the short-lived Near-Death Experience with Namaqua Shandy (VHMM023) and Love (VBSM003) in April 2023, is presented in this month’s Meerkatter. Surprisingly, Magali’s newest companions are a group of Cape Ground Squirrels!

Jude (VMPM071), the sole survivor of the doomed Make-e-Plan mixed litter of 13 pups born in April 2022, is also featured in the September Meerkatter.

Palestrina VLM211
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Ozzie (VECM033) lost his dominance at Alba by submitting to adult male, Palestrina (VLM211). Ozzie had taken dominance from Pucky (VECM023) just a few months ago.  While Palestrina previously sat in the throne at both Zulus and Elrond’s Council, dominance competitions continue at Alba, and male dominance is currently uncertain.

Trackie-Daks adult subordinate female Hachi’s (VWF238) swelling of her left cheek has gone down but continues to be monitored to rule out the possibility of tuberculosis.

Zulus Dominant Female Spruddel
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Zulu’s dominant female Spruddel (VZUF028) still has no partner since dominant male Scuzi’s (WVM213) disappearance in November 2022. However, she recently gave birth, proving that at least she is finding a little love on the side.

Vetkoeks Dominant Female Mooncake with Sea Biscuit
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Vetkoeks continue to struggle to increase its group size.  Dominant female Mooncake’s (VHMF053) litter was lost before emergence this month.  Of the six individuals that currently make up Vetkoeks,    Mooncake is the only female.

Whiskers Dominant Male Brea
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Whiskers dominant male Brea (VLM157) left Whiskers on September 30th following an alarm call.  He has yet to return. Earlier in the month, he turned 14 years-old, earning the record as the oldest meerkat ever in the KMP.

Click here for the September 2023 Meerkatter.

Find the September 2023 Life History Chart here.

For the Group Territories Map click here.

Lazuli Dminat Female Dumpling
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

August was marked by many pregnant dominant females including Alba’s Tolkien (VECF019), Lazuli’s Dumpling (VLF272), Zulus’ Spruddel (VZUF028), Dik-Diks’ Fleabag (VGDF005), and Vetkoek’s Mooncake (VHMF053). Dominant females that gave birth in August include Side Quest’s Pumba (VZUF048), Jaxx’s Baloo (VJXF080), Ubuntu’s Agazoth (VUBF039) and Cape Crusader’s Timon (VZUF049).  Sadly, Timon was found predated soon afterward and the fate of her last litter is unknown. Sky (VSIF003) took the dominant position (and was radio-collared) as she was the only eligible female left in the group.

Timon in 2022
Photo By Laura Salamone-Maiden

Whiskers Emily Bronte and pup Cricket
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Whiskers adult subordinate females Laika (VWF236), Emily Bronte (VWF244) and Chomp (VWF244) were all evicted by their family. They encountered Trackie-Daks and were chased off.  They have yet to return to Whiskers.

Gold Diggers Rogelio de la Vega
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

The escapades of several high-profile rovers were highlighted in this month’s Meerkatter, including Gold Diggers boys Beatrice (VGDM014) and Rogelio de la Vega (VGDM015).

Trackie-Daks adult subordinate female Hachi (VWF238) appears to have a submandibular lump on her left cheek.  It is not confirmed to be tuberculosis, but the group has had incidences of TB in the past.

Gold Diggers Beatrice
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Find the August 2023 Meerkatter here.

Click here for the August 2023 Life History Chart.

The updated Group Territories Map is found here.

Frequent Whiskers evictee Laika
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Frequent Alba evictee Kilie
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Cooperative breeding within meerkat society is discussed in this month’s Meerkatter. The focus is on dominance assertion in Alba and Whiskers, in which the dominant females are particularly keen to evict the adult subordinate females.

For almost three years, Trackie-Daks has been a habituation group.  While their habituation status is still in progress, July marks the beginning of adlib sessions during which the group is followed, weighed and behavioral data collected.

Trackie-Daks
Photo by Bieke Maex

Lazuli Dominant Male Odin
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Former Lazuli dominant female Sigma’s daughter Dumpling (VLF272) took over female dominance after Sigma’s death. Dominant male Odin (VLM266) is potentially Dumpling’s father, so it was no surprise that following an IGI between Lazuli and Dik-Diks, he joined Dik-Diks to make a bid for male dominance there. However, after another IGI later that day, a confused Odin ended back up at Lazuli!

Vetkoeks Dominant Male Mion
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

At Alba, Pucky (VECM023) was unseated as dominant male by Ozzie (VECM033). Male dominance at Vetkoeks has been settled with Zulus-born Mion (VZUM057) now on the throne next to dominant female Mooncake (VHMF053).

For the July 2023 Meerkatter click here.

Find the July 2023 Life History Chart here.

The July 2023 Group Territories Map is here.