Category: General

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.

Ubuntu Dominant Female Agazoth
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

One of the oldest of the KMP’s groups, Ubuntu, is highlighted in the June Meerkatter.  Former dominant couple, Daisy (VBBF111) and Scar (VUBM021), portrayed themselves in Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty.  Since its discovery in 2016, Ubuntu has experienced many tribulations including frequent dominance changes, both male and female.  Ubuntu’s territory is in the south of the reserve and is bisected by the mail road. Because of this, Ubuntu has suffered vehicular fatalities when the meerkats cross the road, the most recent being the dominant female Cthulha (VUB035) who was hit by a truck in May.  Adult female Agazoth (VUBF034) is Ubuntu’s new dominant female.

Runaways Dominant Male Shiraz
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Runaways had a group split after the death of dominant female Bigwig (VMPF022) last month. The group was reunited this month with the return of the two females that had split with Bigwig’s final litter. The four pups disappeared less than a week after Bigwig’s death.    There is currently no dominant female at Runaways.

Alba Dominant Male Pucky
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

At Alba, adult subordinate male Ozzie (VECM033) and former Elrond’s Council dominant male, Palestrina (VLM211), have been asserting dominance on Alba ‘s current dominant male Pucky (VECM023).  Male dominance is still unsettled at the end of the month.

In Whiskers, sub-adult subordinate male, Pit Lord (VWM260), has been given his LAST SEEN.

Find the June 2023 Meerkatter here.

Whiskers Pit Lord (L) and Thunderbird
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Click here for the June Life History Chart.

The Group Territories map is found here.

Lazuli Sigma VLF230
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

An article on solo dominants is presented in this month’s Meerkatter.  Current solo dominants

Runaways Bigwig VMPF022
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

(those without partners) include Elrond Council dominant female Snoop Kat (VECF039), Zulus Spruddel (VZUF028), Vetkoeks Mooncake (VHMF053) and Runaways dominant male Shiraz (VJXM122).

On a sad note, May brought the loss of two dominant females. Lazuli’s Sigma (VLF230) suffered a bite to the head by a puff adder and succumbed overnight.  Runaways Bigwig (VMPF022) fell victim to some kind of a terrestrial predator.

Whiskers Cricket VWM270
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Whiskers also lost sub-adult subordinate female Thunderbird (VWF261) to a puff adder bite and pup Cricket (VWM270) to unknown circumstances.

The life and times of Hakuna Matata-born Shandy (VHMM023) is highlighted in the May Meerkatter.  Known as ‘Randy Shandy’ in Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty, this little meerkat got around! Dominant male of the short-lived Near Death Experience group, Shandy passed away in May from tuberculosis.

Whiskers Thunderbird VWF261
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Click here for the May 2023 Meerkatter.

Find the May 2023 Life History Chart here.

For the May Group Territories Map Click here.

Monkulus in 2010
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

A couple of interesting topics are covered in this month’s Meerkatter.  First, becoming dominant is explained and dominance record-holders in the Project’s history are highlighted.  The oldest female to become dominant was Monkulus (VWF063).  Monkulus, who portrayed Maybelline in the original Meerkat Manor series, became dominant at Mayans at the ripe old age of ten years.

Another topic was inter-group interactions, commonly referred to as IGIs. When meerkat groups encounter one-another, fights can occur, sometimes with serious injury or death of group individuals. More often, one group will be chased off by a war- dancing offensive.  Jaxx, Gold Diggers, Dik-Diks, Elrond’s Council and Alba all had observed IGIs this month.

Ubuntu Cthulhu and little Behati
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Ubuntu suffered a few losses this month.  Dominant female Cthulhu (VUBF035) died when she was hit by a truck outside of the reserve.  A pup from her latest litter, Whippersnapper (VUBM065), was given his LAST SEEN.

Ubuntu Whippersnapper
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Sub-group Ubuntu 4 was formed when Ubuntu’s Magali (VUBF023) was found waking up with former Namaqua dominant male Shandy (VHMM023) and yearling male Love (VBSM003).  Magali had not been seen since July 2022.

Ubuntu 4 Magali
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Find the April 2023 Meerkatter here.

Click here for the April 2023 Life History Chart.

The Group Territories Map is found here.