Jen's, we're planning on meeting the Docent at 10 a.m. at the entrance plaza just inside the gates...she has red hair and is named Mona...just in case you get there first.

See you there, rain or shine!!

Peace Love & Meerkats
Christine

I really wish I could just jump on a plane and meet up with all of you to celebrate Flowers life tomorrow.

Instead I will be stuck here in Chicago freezing and thinking of Flower and all the others that we have lost this past year.

Hugs to all of you and may you have bright and sunny skies to greet you at the Zoo.

Angie aka Meerkata

Angelkisses, is it a tour for the whole park, or just for the Meerkat Exhibit? Do you know if the Zoo will be open if it rains? I know the Meerkats will hide in that pipe if it is, and we would not get to see them.
I really hope it doesn't!!!!!!! Everyone put on your best anti-rain dance!

Meerkata, I will take some more pics & video if I do go, for everyone to see. I am just praying that both Meerkats are healthy & all better. Its been a tough, cold, and rainy week here in LA so I am worried about Spanky & Chico. Hildy- we'll give you an update as soon as we see them with our own eyes.

Jen

Good luck on the weather tomorrow. It is supposed to start raining tonight and keep on keeping on for a few days. But if you do go...jens..yes..let me know how they are. Thanks, Hildy

hi everyone.... I called the Zoo and they said they will be open even if it is raining....so I WILL be there...I have an umbrella so and a jacket so I will be fine...

Jens:: I believe it will be a tour of the whole zoo

If you would like, email me and I will send you my pic so you can find me and I can give you my cell number so we can keep in contact.

Meerkat {{{snuggles, groomings, & kisses to all}}}

Kitty****

Good evening my fellow Meerkateers!!

I hope everyone is doing ok! :-)

It is raining outside right now...but unless it is majorly pouring rain in the morning, I am going to the Zoo. I called and they dont close because of the rain....so I am going.. I have stayed down all week and have been taking it real easy so I can feel good and be able to go to the Zoo and not be in pain...so hopefully I will see you all there!

Meerkat {{{snugggles, groomings, & kisses to all}}}

Kitty***

Well it is decided... I will be at the Zoo tomorrow rain or shine....so I hope to see you all there... I will be at the gate at 9:45


{{{{hugs}}}}

Kitty****

Luv4flwr- If it is raining like it is now, I will not be there. If it stops in the morning, then I most likely will. If I don't, please be sure to take some pics or video, so me & Hildy can rest knowing both Meerkats are doing well.

Jen

Jens,

The sun is out and it's clearing up here north of LA...

The private tour is of the whole park. So, if you can make it, I think it will be worth your effort.

Peace Love & Meerkats
Christine

Well I thought about you all today..cause the weather fooled us...heavens did not open up until this afternoon...hope you are all okay...and got home safely! And what state do we live in again??

The 1/27 meerkat meetup at the LA Zoo was bittersweet. The morning was sunny, but by the time we got there it was overcast. By early afternoon, it was raining, so we called it a day at that point.

The bittersweet part was that we thought we were meeting up as a memorial to Flower's death 1 year ago. Sadly, it became a memorial for Chico, as Hildy's concerns were unfortunately correct. Chico passed away, and now Spanky is left alone. He was a bit reclusive yesterday; probably (at leats partly) because of the rain, so he mostly stayed around his heat lamp (I would too if I was him).

I didn't want to believe that Chico had passed, and the ISIS is very good about updating their animal statistics, which reflected two kats in LA, so I'm left wondering whether or not the LA Zoo has reported the death to the ISIS or the AZA.

It was great to finally meet Luv4flwr and her daughter, as well as Chris969 and her husband, and Christine made our day by arranging for her friend, a zoo docent, to give us a zoo tour.

Now we have solo meerkats in LA, Santa Barbara, and Honolulu. It seems a natural progression to see if something can be done to their get these kats together or talk to a zoo (SD perhaps?) to arrange for new companions to be brought to each of them.

Speaking of the SD Zoo, we're proposising a meerkat meetup at the San Diego Zoo in March. I think it was Luv4flwr's idea, so I'll let her provide the details...

Oh I am so sorry to hear about Chico! Gosh, who knows how long she was laying there, because I got there late, and didn't even report it until almost five. Poor little Spanky, doing sentry duty all by himself. Makes me very sad! Well thanks for letting me know wcm!

WCM: I am confused as I was under the impression that one of the Meerkats at the L.A. Zoo died in Nov 2007, then Hildy's post on 1/14/08 said that there were 2 Meerkats in the enclosure and one was not moving. So, did they replace the one and now it has passed? Confused here. But let's just say that Spanky is all by himself. How or what can we do to get another Meerkat to be with Spanky? Let me know what I can do as I cannot stop thinking of him all alone.

On a positive note it was really nice meeting everyone on Sunday. Too bad it had to rain on us but it was fun just the same. WCM had the Meerkat beer and the cereal in his car so we got to take a look at that. He would not share the beer but I understand. It is always good to have something to drink in the car in case of an emergency....lol

Take care everyone....Jess let me know if we can help Spanky.....

Janelle

I agree with WCM we need to figure out a way to help Spanky, poor baby needs a friend or 2 at least. Tomorrow I will call the zoo and see what they say about it. I am sure with all of us banding together we have a good chance at getting more Meerkats there at the zoo.

And as WCM mentioned we all talked about a meetup at the SD Zoo on March 15th to celebrate Flower's Birthday. Anyone interested in going please email me at Love4Meerkats@aol.com. By March the weather should be much better so we can have a better time...plus they have alot of meerkats according to the woman I talked to at the SD Zoo today, so we should have a great time.
I know it was great getting to meet WCM, Angel,Christopher969 and her husband!! Looking forward to meeting more of you. Cady and I even got a box of the Meerkat cereal from Angel. It is so cute!

Meerkat {{{snuggles,groomings,& kisses to all}}}

Kitty****

I just hung up from the LA Zoo the woman said they are not sure if they are going to be able to get a friend or 2 for Spanky but they are going to try. I then asked if there was anything we can do to help...but she said thanks but no thanks...sooooo not sure where to go from here. Because we all know Meerkats do better in a group rather than alone.

Luckily they have several Meerkats at the SD Zoo so when we go in March we should be able to see several of them... anyone else planning on going?

Meerkat {{{snuggles, groomings, & kisses to all}}}

Kitty****

hmmmmm my post was triggered...not sure what I said to get it triggered...but...thats AP for you...

Anyways I talked to the LA Zoo and she said she doesnt knnw yet if they will get more friends for Spanky or not... and when I asked if there is anything we can do to help she said thanks but no thanks

well the good news is the SD Zoo has several Meerkats so it should be a great visit. The plan is for March 15t to celebrate Flower's BDay. Who is planning on going?

Meerkat {{{snuggles,groomings, & kisses to all}}}

KItty***

ok now that is strange they triggered my post...now it is here in front of the others..so sorry for ALL the extra information

Kitty***

Kitty, thank you for trying with the L.A. Zoo. There has to be something we can do. I wonder how old Spanky is?

Janelle

I too have been very worried about Spanky since hearing about it from Janelle. I can't seem to get the picture out of my head of poor little Spanky being terrified hearing the animal noises at night and not having anyone to snuggle up to.

I have been on several sites trying to find out if there are laws regarding quantity of meerkats in zoos for their own well being but kept hitting dead ends. I did read at the SD zoo that when 2 siblings died they did introduce 2 more unrelated kats to the one that did survive, but it also stated that there isn't always a happy ending in some cases. I'm sorry but a meerkat isn't meant to be alone and I can't imagine the attitude of the LA Zoo when people are just showing concern for the welfare of Spanky.

I think it's horrible that these zoos are jumping on the popularity of the meerkats and then not giving them the basic thing they need in order to be happy and thrive. Meerkats are not meant to be alone, they are very social animals and in my opinion if the zoo isn't gonna provide them with the same companionship they would have in the wild then they shouldn't be allowed to have them at all.

Would it help if a petition was started not only for Spanky but for Hulu and I believe that I read there is another zoo also with only 1 meerkat? What is the point of them providing a safe habitat from predators if they are gonna turn around and torment the poor kats by making them stay alone with no contact with their own kind?

Please let us know if there's something else that we can do to help. In the mean time I'm gonna see what kind of info I can get from my local zoo.

Angie aka Meerkata

Meerkata,

I wanted to call Pam at FE, but realized..LA will not give up Spanky to her, because then they would have no exhibit. San Deigo Zoo has 5 meerkat exhibits...I am hoping they have a little rogue...who does not get along with theres...that would probably be the only way they would let one go. We all know there social structure...have to have one who is a problem child in her own den. Then they can send you away. Otherwise, they just isolate. I saw a meerkat in Utah this Christmas, who did not get along with her parents...so she was with two porcupines!

Spanky reminds me of Shakespeare. Everytime I go to the zoo..he is on his rock...watching those darn LAX jets...who he thinks are hawks...sentry duty daily!!

Just don't know what to do about this.

Hildy

Great minds think alike because I too was thinking of calling Pam. I really would like to do something to help these little lone meerkats.

I'm beginning to think that they may be better off in the wild surviving from predators than being stuck in some enclosure just sitting there day in and day out. To me they are just existing not living, which leads me to question what really is in the best interest of the meerkat.
Not having been there myself I still can't get the picture out of my head of this precious life just sitting by a heat lamp. I also read that his burrowmate was left in the enclosure after it had already died, does anyone know what Chico died from? Also I thought that there were 3 total at that zoo, if so what happened to the 3rd one?

At my local zoo there are 7 or 8(they run about so much it's hard to get a count) and they share their enclosure with 3 porcupines which I don't really understand, but at least they are together.

I wish that we were able to get more info on meerkat rights in a zoo, cause this is really bothering me.

I did post a questions to Laura at the SD zoo so I'm gonna go and check to see if they were answered.

Angie aka Meerkata

Poor Spanky, this is just terrible, and that lone elephant is terrible too. I wish we could just break in there and free them with out going to jail.

Meerkata please post if you get any answers from San Diego. Thanks.

Laura still hasn't replied to my quetion, so I've resent her that question along with another question about what a zoo does if anything to bring other meerkats when they have a situation of a lone kat.

I have a feeling that I wont get a response because they may not want to get a fellow zoo into any kind of dilema, but we'll see.

Angie aka Meerkata

Thanks Meerkata for your effort! Hildy

Hildy, maybe Derrick would be willing to give up defiant daughter to meet with Spanky??!!

Oh-My heart is breaking about Chico! I was so sad when Luv4flwr told me. I'm sorry that you saw him suffering Hildy! I made a video in honor of Flower's passing, filming Spanky & Chico with WCM, Hildy, and Kate. And now, our beloved Chico is now gone way too soon. I'll post it again here for everyone to see how beautiful he was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-XnS_iABME

I hope I can make it so SD in March, as I have not seen the Meerkats there yet. I'm all in for trying to get Spanky a bunk mate. Thats funny- we all thought about calling Pam! Whom ever we can get for him, I would love to get him a DF to have pups with. Lets all see what we can do to get each of these lone Meerkats a partner, and soon!!! For the one with the porcupines, I wish they could place her with another Meerkat as well. Do these zoos not know how important it is to have a buddy for the Meerkats? Do you think Pam might have any suggestions for us? Where do the zoos get their Meerkats from?

Sorry I did not make it on Sunday girls (and Jess), but that would have been too sad to see, now that I know Chico is not there anymore.

Does anyone know how Chico died?

Such an awesome video too bad little Chico is not longer here. It's a shame that Spanky is forced to be alone. I'm still trying to get info on what rights the aniamls have in a zoo that forces the zoo higher ups to do what's in the best interest of the meerkats.

I loved the part in the video where he's sitting in the tub, it actually looks like he's enjoying himself in a hot tub.

Has anyone tried to call Pam about this issue?

I too would like to know how little Chico died, is the zoo obligated to tell the public how an animal dies? Also since there was news coverage when they opened and dedicated it, has there been any news coverage about the death of Chico?

Maybe someone should drop a line to the news and see if their getting involved might help Spanky.

Angie aka Meerkata

When MB, the dm at my zoo, died around Labor Day, it was nearly Christmas before they got the autopsy results back from whatever lab does meerkat deaths. So don't expect to find out about Chico in a hurry.

Condolences to Spanky and all his friends on the west coast.

I emailed Pam all the details about Chico. Had a reply today from one of her volunteers, that she is very busy, filming an AP promo, and that he would print what I wrote, and give it to her.

He also mentioned that the new FE newsletter would be online soon.

No mention of what I said about the LA zoo, or Chico...so...who knows.

Then I was wondering if maybe she is doing an AP promo for the Flower movie..or just upcoming season 4 of MM. Guess we will just have to wait and see. Hildy

Not to downplay the death of any animal in the zoo, but it seems to me that they aren't real concerned about the meerkats. The reason I say that is because all these zoos that have only 1 meerkat, yet they are very social animals and dont do well alone. Plus based on what I'm hearing here about it taking over 3 months to announce cause of death in Meerkata1212 zoo and nothing on the cause of death for Chico who I believe died in November. Just recently I read an article about meerkats and other animals being sold to smaller zoo's and circus' when they get older and there are NO standards that are in place to protect those animals. The article went on to say that the cages they are kept in are too small and that meerkats and other animals were left in a garbage can and were not being properly fed. I was appalled at what I read. In fact I'll find the article and post a link to it.

I just don't understand why there wouldn't be more of a sense of urgency when it's obvious that other animals may be affected by what ever caused the death of the one.

Maybe someone should try and get the news involved because I feel this is a great dis-service not only to the one that died but also to any other animal that came into contact with the one that died. I'm really beginning to question what kind of standards are in place to protect the animals and in the long run protect us the public.

As I stated in a previous post I have been trying to find out more info on the rights of the zoo animals and I would appreciate any info that someone reading this post may be able to offer me. Since I'm not in California I can't contact news agencies there but maybe someone who does live there may be able to.

I find it so hard to believe that these animals are really better off being caged for our entertainment and not allowed to live as they would if they were out in the wild. Yet in the wild alot of them live in groups yet they are left to exist in an enclosure alone at the zoo so are they really better off?

Angie aka Meerkata

Jens,

Thank you for re-posting the video of Chico and Spanky...I can't get him out of my heart and head, just sitting looking so forlorn and alone...it broke my heart to leave him...I'm going to go see him again soon.

I agree Angie, perhaps Jess/WCM as the spokesman for WCMS would be best to speak to the media about the plight of our lonely meerkat singles...Something must be done to relieve the pain these little precious animals obviously experience.

Peace Love & Meerkats
Christine

I’ve just returned to the forums after a week’s absence and noticed this topic, so I had to respond, but first I apologize for being busy this week due to jury duty while still being responsible for completing my work deadlines, as well overseeing a remodel where my recent evenings are consumed shopping for parts the workers need the next mornings. Back to the issue…

I’ve been doing a solo effort in the last few months of researching this very issue of meerkat inter-zoo exchanges. I’m happy to see the momentum of posts in this thread, so I’d like to share with you where I’m at, and hope you can help me out as you can see that my time hasn’t allowed me to give this the attention it deserves yet.

I’ve spoken with meerkat keepers of several California zoos, and have learned that the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) is responsible for zoo exchanges. There is what’s called a “studbook” for each animal of AZA-accredited zoos. This tracks all the details of every animal within each zoo. For each animal, there is a dedicated studbook keeper. This AZA representative is the person responsible for coordinating and executing meerkat exchanges between zoos. The San Diego Zoological Society and Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa are among some of the major providers of meerkats for other zoos, but it is the AZA’s meerkat-studbook keeper who is starting point.

For those who haven’t seen it, here’s a link to the number of meerkats at most zoos in the world: http://app.isis.org/abstracts/Abs75876.asp . The list separates meerkats in to sub-groups, so if it lists just “one” meerkat at a zoo, there could actually be several meerkats together in the enclosure, so you must also check to see if the zoo is named again further down the list in another meerkat group to know whether the “one” is really alone (This will make sense when you see the list).

I’ve previously stated my thoughts to Gene & Cheryl about my desire to contact the AZA & zoos about helping lone meerkats, but also to first ensure proper standards before zoos receive new kats. They've allowed me to act as a director of habitat standards for them, so that I can act on behalf of the ECMS to attempt to work for things like contacting the AZA, as well as creating a dialog with zoos. It’s my goal to see Spanky of Los Angeles, Kapa of Honolulu, and the lone female in Santa Barbara be unlonely. Then on to habitat standards…

I invite anyone who wants to assist and help give their time. One thing to keep in mind though; In my research, I’ve also learned that guideline #1 is that we must avoid an activist-onslaught of emails to zoos, which WILL make them run the other direction. The worst type of person to a zoo is an animal activist, as they avoid animal rights enforcers like the plague. My feeling is that the best approach is to let zoos know that we're here to help and provide them with information, time, money or resources, and that IT WILL COST THEM NOTHING to work with us or hear us out. They should not be made to think that there will be any consequences for refusing to work with us. We are simply here to provide help if they want to accept it.

Zoos generally will not allocate time to hearing anyone who lacks a zoological background. They often see laymen as unrecognizable, who mean very little. Anyone acting on behalf of meerkats must be very careful to not be viewed as just animal-loving laymen. The ECMS can credibly approach zoos, and include info about what we did in Staten Island and other areas. We have endorsements from the S.I. Zoo's curator and employees of other zoos who are happy with what we've done with them. Word of mouth between zoos is key, so it’s crucial that our level-headed, non-“activist” efforts are positively received.

I've just been given the contact info of the AZA's meerkat-studbook keeper, and I invite those of you who have my email address (I’d rather not post it publicly but many of you know it anyway) to write me any of your thoughts that you would like to have relayed to the AZA and/or zoos to ensure that your thoughts & feelings are represented. This can also save me time in being sure that I’ve remembered to state everything in my own questions for her. Thank you all for being on-board in our efforts to help captive meerkats never have to be alone or without sand, etc…

WCM

Hildy, can you add the info about the little girl at the Salt Lake zoo in an email to WCM?

WCM, she comes from a breeding pair, but is kept separate because she and her mother fight for dominace. She stays separated from the other meers in an enclosure with the porcupines. Perhaps since she comes from such good breeding stock, there would be a possibility of her joining Spanky, and it would be less expensive to move her. The zookeeper at the SL zoo said that the breeding pair had provided many litters for them, but they only had them and one other meer in the enclosures, so they must be involved in the AZA breeding programs. Hope this info can be of some help

Thanks Dmoo. I'll offer that suggestion to the studbook-keeper.

A few other points...

There is a set of meerkat standards but it's only accessible to AZA members. However, I was able to learn that it puts minimum enclosure size at 20 sq ft, and 4 ft high. Also, meerkats are a species with PMP-class management level, which means that while compliance of the set of standards by participating institutions is encouraged and breeding recommendations are offered, no master plan is required. While 20 & 4 ft may be perceived to some as not enough, let's choose our priorities and help the lone kats first, rather than even considering to tell zoos how to build their enclosures (see "activist" reference in my post above).

Regarding the SD Zoo meetup, I just realized I have a March 15th conflict. It's the same date as a symphony performance that I have season tickets to, so I won't be able to attend the zoo on that date. I could do March 8 or 9, but unless that previous weekend also works for everyone else, I wouldn't ask for the date to be changed on my behalf.

In a post above, Christopher9691 joked that "WCM had the Meerkat beer and the cereal in his car so we got to take a look at that. He would not share the beer but I understand. It is always good to have something to drink in the car in case of an emergency....lol"

Just so everyone doesn't think I'm a beer-hoarding meanie, I wanted to clarify that at our LA Zoo visit last weekend, we all ended our day when it started pouring rain. I mentioned bringing along a box of meerkat cereal and a bottle of that meerkat "Mongoose" beer to show, as my friend had brought me back a bottle after a recent Seattle visit. It was down-pouring, so after a quick look, we all left right then, so there was no opportunity to open the bottle. If I had more bottles, I would've gladly given them out.

Bless your heart, I know you would have, WCM! I just assumed when I read that, that you were eating the breakfast of champions like some soldiers I know do on the weekends!!

Hope we can do something to help lonely 'kats. It was hard to see the little female in SLC alone. But she definately was in charge of the enclosure!!

just checking in and i am really upset to hear about chico. i hope that they do something soon about it. i haven't been to peoria for quite some time now, so i don't know what the situation is there. has anyone heard from queenflower? i don't believe that the glen oak zoo will be very accepting of any help that we might offer. i just don't know what to do about getting the meerkats some sand.

I too am sorry to hear about Chico. WCM, thank you for all the info & the research work you're doing. I had asked Pam once what to do if we saw something that was not in a meerkat's best interest if we should call her & she said the general public, us, would have more influence than her alone. And the information gathering for zoos sounds like a great start. I will give my support to the effort.

On another note, guess I will have to scour Tacoma to find this "Meerkat Beer". Good excuse to bus up to Seattle for a visit.

don't go right now meergato, it might be a real long trip!

Good evening my fellow Meerkateers!!

I hope everyone is doing great..

You know...... I have an idea .....why dont we have a meet up somewhere in Feb? We should be able to find a date that is good for most if not all of us. Maybe we should have monthly meetups, that way if you can make it great...if not you can try for the following month...OR even go to each one every month. What are your guys's thoughts on this idea?
And for the record I know Janelle was just teasing... she likes to tease and of course we all know wcm is a very generous MeerMan!


Meerkat {{{snuggles, groomings , & kisses to all}}}

Kitty***

PS::::: Dale is you ACTUALLY go all the way to Seattle to get the Meerkat beer..... I want ONE

PSS If you do go ( I know you wont really LOL ) BUT if you do why not ask wcm to put his 6 Sentrie Meerkats on lookout for you to keep you safe on that LONG journey even if you only go by cyber means He has them to help keep him safe I know that cause that is what they were given to him for.

{{{{hugsss}}}}

My meerkat sentries are watching out for all. They may be made of plastic, but they're the fiercest plastic kats this side of Africa.

Seriously though; regarding our message to the studbook-keeper, I'll check in here for the next 24 hours or so to see if there are further requests posted here to roll in to my letter to her.

Good news! The meerkat studbook-keeper for the AZA lives right here in SoCal.

wcm: I hope that you know I was just kidding about the Meerkat beer. This is something I know you want to keep as I think you had stated that there was only one. It was really raining hard and you took the time to show us the cereal and the beer... and for that I am very thankful....

Christine and I are meeting tomorrow and we will see if we have any questions regarding the lone meerkats and getting them together with another. I am glad that you gave us a heads up on how to approach the zoos as I would never want this to hinder attempts to help Spanky and other lone Meerkats. If you need any help I will be happy to volunteer my time and efforts.

As far as the March 15th zoo meet up in S.D., I wanted to go on that date as it is Flower's b'day. I have something else going on the weekend before or that would have been a possibility. I am sure that there will be many more dates that we can celebrate or just go and be with the animals. Sorry that you will not be able to join us.

One last thing...did you know that AP is having a series about Lemurs on Friday nights? I think it starts this week as there was a write up in tv guide about the Meerkats better watch their manor. It was a cute article. I know that you like Lemurs so if you get chance tune in...I think I might.

Thanks,
Janelle

Hi Chris..since you and angel are meeting tomorrow, would you let wcm know, if he doesnt' that the SLC zoo in Utah has a lone female...who was taken away from her mom and dad, because she was fighting mom for dominance. She is the one I mentioned, that is now in with two porcupines...she would be perfect for Spanky...she was Very Attractive

Hildy,

I know that Spanky has a list of things he would like and an attractive female was on the top of the list. Being that Spanky is adorable I think it would be a good fit. I do not have wcm's email but I will try to get the info to him about her.

Janelle

I've noted the message. Dmoo was quick to alert me in the post above. I know a mother & child kat in the east coast that need a home too. Perhaps they could help another lone kat (Honolulu perhaps? Long ride though).

I hope Spanky finds a buddy soon! Saw pictures of him (thanks Kitty!)& he's quite the looker. I think any female 'kat will fall for him.

Meerkat beer update - yes, it does exist, as Mongoose IPA, & hopefully at a store in Tacoma (just emailed the company). But Seattle is only 45 mi from here so I could handle the journey. halesbrewery.com has a photo.

oooooooooooooooo D if you make the trip to get some Meerkat beer.... I want one :-)


I cant believe I got on the site... I have been locked out dang it

Meerkat {{{{snuggles,groomings, & kisses to all}}}}

Kitty****

There are two separare brands of Meerkat-related beer in Seatlle. All the details are in the "TALK ABOUT..." forum under the "Meerkat Beer in Seattle" Thread. The meerkat beer is on tap only. The Mongoose beer (with meerkat photo) is available in bottles. They also sell t-shirts of the bottle's label, which displays a meerkat on the front. More info at halesbrewery.com