Meerkats always get a second look and are arguably the most endearing of all the wildlife animals in South Africa. They are cute, comical and just simply interesting as they display extreme vigilance around their burrows.
Meerkat / Suricate {Suricata suricatta} are diurnal animals and spend a lot of their time on guard, looking out for predators during the day. Eagles are a threat from above while snakes are a regular terrestrial threat. (Meerkat is a South African Dutch word meaning ‘lake cat’ since Meerkats are often found near stretches of water.) In the Karoo where water is scarce, Meerkats are often found in hot dusty locations quite far from water.
The Meerkat’s cute and seemingly friendly nature is perhaps it’s biggest threat when it comes to man. Many are taken at a young age and raised as domestic pets. As with most wild animals, the development stage to adulthood also brings about a severe personality change. Adult Meerkats start biting, resulting in owners abandoning their once cute and cuddly pets.
Over the past twenty years, Ganora Farm near Nieu Bethesda has successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced many abandoned Meerkats back into the wild. Farm owners Jan-Peet and Hester are closely involved in their game rehabilitation programs. The result is that orphaned Meerkats often makes the farm yard their home, allowing visitors the opportunity to make close contact.
“We rehabilitate Meerkats which we receive from authorities. These have been confiscated from people who illegally tried to tame them as domestic pets” says Chris who heads up the rehabilitation program. Chris explains how he has to build up a group of Meerkats and release them together. “Their social structures are a key element to their survival” says Chris.
Meerkats live in colonies of up to 30 animals. The groups consist of 2-3 family units comprising a male, a female and their 2-5 young. They usually inhabit the burrows of ground squirrels, which they enlarge by digging with their sharp claws.
When emerging from their burrows in the early morning, they tend to sunbathe before spending the day foraging for small prey.
Adults take it in turns to stand on sentry, finding a convenient vantage point where they can watch for predators, such as raptors, snakes and carnivors. If danger is sighted, the sentry gives a warning bark, and the Meerkats flee to the safety of their burrows. If the threat is a snake, the adults will huddle together and drive the predator away. While sentries keep watch, other Meerkats take care of the young.
At De Zeekoe Guest Farm near Oudtshoorn a Meerkat viewing tour is offered to guests. A resident colony of Meerkats has become quite comfortable with an audience watching from a designated viewing area. This is an ideal opportunity for a real wildlife photo encounter as these Meerkats are completely wild. For more information and to book a Meerkat encounter contact De Zeekoe Guest Farm directly.
Meerkats are wild animals and are best appreciated in the wild. Please report cases of Meerkats being kept as pets to Cape Nature Conservation or the SPCA.
For more conservation info go to Endangered Wild Life Trust; The World We Share; World Wide Experience; South African Tour Group Joins Conservation Project; Conservation Victory In South Africa
