Lazuli Dumpling VLF272 in 2022
Lazuli Masiiwa
Mating opportunities for subordinate females is discussed at length in the December Meerkatter.
Lazuli dominant female Dumpling (VLF272) passed away after being bit by a snake on December 11, 2024. Dumpling’s yearling daughter Masiiwa (VLF308) took on the position of the group’s dominant female as she was the only eligible female at the time. All of the other adult subordinate females had been evicted by Dumpling during her last pregnancy. On December 18th, Lazuli yearling subordinate female Nontokozo (VLF307) was bitten on the neck by a puff adder and has not been seen since.
Alba adult subordinate male Palestrina (VLM211) and yearling subordinate male littermates Apollo (VALM010) and Patrick (VALM011) are considered emigrated out of Alba. At a little over 10 years old, Palestrina is the oldest meerkat in the KMP’s current population.
Brussel Sprouts pups Porcini, Shiitake and Toadstool with Gurke. Photo by Sofya Melnikova
It’s baby season in the Kalahari. Brussels Sprouts dominant female Arabella ‘s (VMPF035) pups Porcini (VBSM012), Toadstool (VBSM013) and Shiitake (VBSM012) foraged with the group for the first time this month. It has been almost a year since the group last had pups in their midst. Ubuntu’s three pups Ursula (VUBF077), Chonky (VUBM078) and Teenietots (VUBM079), born to dominant female Agazoth (VUBF039), emerged and had their first forage. Dominant females from Jaxx, Elrond’s Council, Gold Diggers, Dik-Diks, and Hogwarts all gave birth this month. Zulus dominant female Spruddel (VZUF028) also gave birth but lost her litter. Zulus pregnant yearling subordinate female Leona (VZUF070) was evicted on the 17th and is still gone at the end of the month.
Side Quest Motoko Kusanagi VSIF013 in 2023
Following her eviction in November, Motoko Kusanagi (VSIF013), Side Quest subordinate female, continued unsuccessfully to rejoin her group. The group encountered her nine times during the month. She even woke up in the group’s sleeping burrow one morning before running off.
Dominant female Yorki (VGDF033) from disintegrated Nightwatch and adult male Sticky (VMPM064) were given their LAST SEEN.
Female dominance remains unconfirmed at sub-group Gold Diggers 5. Adult subordinate female Ricky Baker (VGDF031) is pregnant.
Both female and male dominance at Whiskers is now confirmed with adult female Gnoll (VWF262) and AgentK (VWM276) in the top spots. Gnoll has an injured front paw and a submandibular lump on her right cheek – a potential sign of TB.
Whiskers dominant male AgentK VWM276
Photo by Saverio Carrera
Whiskers dominant female Gnoll VWF262
Photo by Saverio Carrera
Find the December 2024 Meerkatter here.
Click here for the December 2024 Life History Chart.
The December 2024 Group Territories map can be found here.
