Comments on: The Case of the Missing Meerkat http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/ Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:55:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Angie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-178348 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:22:57 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-178348 Laura, one thing I am curious about is when there are only 2 kats and 1 dies would they try and replace that 1 or would they try to bring in a group and introduce that surviving 1 slowly one on one to each new group member? I know there are some zoos out there that have only 1 Meerkat and I'm just very confused as to why they'd have a lone Meerkat when they are such social animals. Not that I expect you to answer for another zoo, I just don't understand the logic for the welfare and best interest of the Meerkat. Maybe you can shed some light that would help me to understand. Thank you in advance for taking time out of your busy day to answer our questions. Laura, one thing I am curious about is when there are only 2 kats and 1 dies would they try and replace that 1 or would they try to bring in a group and introduce that surviving 1 slowly one on one to each new group member? I know there are some zoos out there that have only 1 Meerkat and I’m just very confused as to why they’d have a lone Meerkat when they are such social animals. Not that I expect you to answer for another zoo, I just don’t understand the logic for the welfare and best interest of the Meerkat. Maybe you can shed some light that would help me to understand.

Thank you in advance for taking time out of your busy day to answer our questions.

]]> by: Angie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-178343 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:12:54 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-178343 Thank you so much Laura for answering my question, your information has been very helpful. A huge congratulations to Ngami and the zoo on her pregnancy, little pups always bring such joy. Thank you so much Laura for answering my question, your information has been very helpful.

A huge congratulations to Ngami and the zoo on her pregnancy, little pups always bring such joy.

]]> by: Laura http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-167804 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:23:21 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-167804 Hi Angie, Meerkats are a highly social animal so usually they are kept in groups. A solo Meerkat could survive, just like a solo primate but the animal would probably be bored and understimulated. Introducing Meerkats is always a difficult task because they have such strong group bonds. A lone Meerkat would have to be introduced slowly to each member of the group and not to all at once. They would surely kill the lone Meerkat if he/she was just thrown into an established group. That is why moving Meerkats between zoos is only done in groups. Even if it is just a group of two. I hope that answered your question. I believe Ngami is pregnant again so I'll be writing soon about her progress. I am going to weigh everyone today also. That is always a circus! Hi Angie,
Meerkats are a highly social animal so usually they are kept in groups. A solo Meerkat could survive, just like a solo primate but the animal would probably be bored and understimulated. Introducing Meerkats is always a difficult task because they have such strong group bonds. A lone Meerkat would have to be introduced slowly to each member of the group and not to all at once. They would surely kill the lone Meerkat if he/she was just thrown into an established group. That is why moving Meerkats between zoos is only done in groups. Even if it is just a group of two.

I hope that answered your question. I believe Ngami is pregnant again so I’ll be writing soon about her progress. I am going to weigh everyone today also. That is always a circus!

]]> by: Angie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-166244 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:42:20 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-166244 Laura, I didn't see an answer to my question so I'll ask again. Since meerkats are such social animals, is it harmful to the kat if there is only 1 being kept at a zoo, and what steps are normally taken to try and find a friend for a lone meerkat? Allow me to say thank you for your time in answering my question. <em>Moderator's note: Laura promises some answers and a new blog some time next week. Please remember: our keepers are busy folk!</em> Laura,

I didn’t see an answer to my question so I’ll ask again.

Since meerkats are such social animals, is it harmful to the kat if there is only 1 being kept at a zoo, and what steps are normally taken to try and find a friend for a lone meerkat?

Allow me to say thank you for your time in answering my question.

Moderator’s note: Laura promises some answers and a new blog some time next week. Please remember: our keepers are busy folk!

]]> by: Angie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-164604 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:21:34 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-164604 Laura how I envy your working with the Meerkats. I absolutely adore them and I can fully undertand your worry at the thought that one was missing. Thank goodness she reappeared and was taken under the wing of an older female. With time she'll be making a full recovery I'm sure, too bad you never found out what caused her injuries. One question that I do have is most zoos have multiple meerkats and knowing that they are such a social animal is it harmful to them if there is only 1 meerkat at a zoo? I always thought that for the best interest of the Meerkat that there would be at the least 3-4 living together. My local zoo has 7 or 8 they are always running around so I haven't been able to get an accurate count but I sure love watching them. If you can give any insight to this question I'd truly appreciate it. Laura how I envy your working with the Meerkats. I absolutely adore them and I can fully undertand your worry at the thought that one was missing. Thank goodness she reappeared and was taken under the wing of an older female. With time she’ll be making a full recovery I’m sure, too bad you never found out what caused her injuries.

One question that I do have is most zoos have multiple meerkats and knowing that they are such a social animal is it harmful to them if there is only 1 meerkat at a zoo? I always thought that for the best interest of the Meerkat that there would be at the least 3-4 living together. My local zoo has 7 or 8 they are always running around so I haven’t been able to get an accurate count but I sure love watching them.

If you can give any insight to this question I’d truly appreciate it.

]]> by: Susan Kazula http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-156192 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:03:26 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-156192 Sorry Laura, for some reason (age I think!) I totally ignored your info about the meerkats which is right above mine. Do you ever get the feeling you've gone totally loopy?! I'm so glad everything is now OK again. Sorry Laura, for some reason (age I think!) I totally ignored your info about the meerkats which is right above mine. Do you ever get the feeling you’ve gone totally loopy?!

I’m so glad everything is now OK again.

]]> by: Susan Kazula http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-155514 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:16:18 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-155514 I had the pleasure last year to have a day with a keeper, learning about the animals and getting up close to them. Although Meerkats were'nt officially on the tour, when the keeper found out how much I adored them (as well as everything else!) he asked his bosses if I could feed them. I was allowed to go into their enclosure and feed them mealworms. What a wonderful experience this was, as indeed the whole day was too. Myself, my husband, daughter and a friend spent a fantastic day feeding so many different animals and getting really close to dangerous, but beautiful animals such as snow leopards. But those Meerkats - so very cute. Laura - I do hope the little one is doing OK. Any chance of an update? I had the pleasure last year to have a day with a keeper, learning about the animals and getting up close to them. Although Meerkats were’nt officially on the tour, when the keeper found out how much I adored them (as well as everything else!) he asked his bosses if I could feed them. I was allowed to go into their enclosure and feed them mealworms. What a wonderful experience this was, as indeed the whole day was too. Myself, my husband, daughter and a friend spent a fantastic day feeding so many different animals and getting really close to dangerous, but beautiful animals such as snow leopards.

But those Meerkats - so very cute.

Laura - I do hope the little one is doing OK. Any chance of an update?

]]> by: Laura http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-152019 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:36:34 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-152019 As for the Meerkats and their names...All four of the adults have names. I introduced them in my first blog about the Meerkats. Ngami the dominant female, Ghanzi the male, and the two subordinate females Kasane and Seronga. The four juveniles do not have names yet. I like to name my animals once they become easily discernible. So far they all look the same! As for the little female she has been fine and did not need an exam. A Vet did come down to look at her but she did not need a trip to the hospital. Thank you for your concern. As for the Meerkats and their names…All four of the adults have names. I introduced them in my first blog about the Meerkats. Ngami the dominant female, Ghanzi the male, and the two subordinate females Kasane and Seronga. The four juveniles do not have names yet. I like to name my animals once they become easily discernible. So far they all look the same!

As for the little female she has been fine and did not need an exam. A Vet did come down to look at her but she did not need a trip to the hospital. Thank you for your concern.

]]> by: Kris http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-150430 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:50:01 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-150430 Off topic but... When will the female elephant calf born in November get a name..? <em>Moderator's note: Thank you for your interest in the animals at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. Our animal care staff have not yet selected a name for the calf, but we will be sure to post it on Elephant Cam when it is selected.</em> Off topic but… When will the female elephant calf born in November get a name..?

Moderator’s note: Thank you for your interest in the animals at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. Our animal care staff have not yet selected a name for the calf, but we will be sure to post it on Elephant Cam when it is selected.

]]> by: Robin http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-147841 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:02:59 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-case-of-the-missing-meerkat/#comment-147841 YEA!!! I am SO PLEASED to hear that the little girl has been found. It was a sad thought to think that she had come into some harm. Keep up the GREAT WORK Laura and your TEAM! YEA!!!
I am SO PLEASED to hear that the little girl has been found. It was a sad thought to think that she had come into some harm. Keep up the GREAT WORK Laura and your TEAM!

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