October 2023 Life History File

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…

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September 2023 Life History File

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…

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August 2023 Life History File

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…

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July 2023 Life History File

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…

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