Category: General

Lazuli dominant female Sigma
Photo by Tal Kleinhause

Meerkat breeding season is explained in this month’s Meerkatter.  While there were a lot of pregnancies within the KMP’s groups in December, the majority of the litters were lost.  However notably, Lazuli dominant female Sigma (VLF230) gave birth to a litter of four pups, that included the 300th individual to be part of this famous long-lived group.

Ubuntu dominant female Cthulhu
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

A new dominant female has emerged in Ubuntu following Daisy’s (VBBF111) death in October.  After dominance competitions between adult subordinate females Cthulha ((VUBF035), Masekind (VUBF037) and Agazoth (VUBF039), Cthulha is now in Ubuntu’s top spot.  Also in Ubuntu, beloved Captain Barbosa (VLM265) was again attacked and ousted by the group’s dominant male on a couple of occasions this month.  While it was hoped he would form a subgroup of his own, Captain Barbosa remains on his own in close proximity to the group.

Namaqua dominant female Manzai
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Namaqua’s dominant female, Manzai (VNQF013) is suspected to have succumbed to TB.  She was too weak to forage with her family and did not wake up with them on December 8th.  As a result, Mia (VNQF027) is Namaqua’s new dominant female.

Zulus dominant male Scuzi in 2020
Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Zulus dominant male Scuzi (VWM213) was given his LAST SEEN after leaving the group the beginning of November.

For the December 2022 Meerkatter click here.

Find the December 2022 Life History chart here.

The group territory map was not updated this month.

Zulu’s dominant male Scuzi seen with sour grass scars around his eyes. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

A couple more dominants were lost this month.  Long-time Zulu’s dominant male, Scuzi (VWM213), disappeared in early November and Brussels Sprouts dominant male James (VGDM011) left the group at the end of the month. Male dominance is currently unsettled in both groups.

Alba’s new dominant male Godric. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Dominance changes occurred in several groups.  Godric (VZUM053) took on the role of dominant male in Alba after the loss of Jay-A-Rod (VWM216) in October. Shandy (VHMM023 assumed dominance in Namaqua following dominant male Umfana’s (VZUM034) probable death from TB.  In Ubuntu, Agazoth (VBUF039) and Cthulhu (VBUF035) were both pregnant after vicious dominance competitions following the loss of the group’s dominant female Daisy (VBBF111) late October.  It is likely that one of these two pregnant females is Ubuntu’s new dominant female.

Brussels Sprouts Vivienne. Photo by Laura Salamone-Maiden

Brussels Sprouts adult subordinate female and snake -bite survivor, Vivienne (VMPF038), was given her LAST SEEN.

The KMP’s newest group, Vetkoeks, was seen four times this month within the reserve.  The group consists of Zulu male littermates Bear (VZUM056), Mion (VZUM057) and Zuma (VZUM059) and Hakuna Matata yearling female, Mooncake (VHMF053).  The group’s main territory is in a neighboring farm, near Hakuna Matata’s territory.

Click here for the November 2022 Meerkatter.

Find the November Life History Chart here.

The group territories map was not updated this month.

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.