The following letter and the Projects managers reply answer a lot of questions about why and how Shakespeare is unaccounted for I came across this on another chat room It is long but worth the time to read.
I am writing you on behalf of many, many fans of the Kalahari Meerkat research project. I am not sure you realize how much attention the project has right now…I am sure you know how successful the “Meerkat Manor” series that Animal Planet is running is, but I am part of a worldwide group of people that discuss the project and show on a regular basis. We feel that the show may not be an accurate depiction of the actual findings of your research project however. Our members in the U.K. are already viewing the second season of the show, and the big “hype” about the “fate of Shakespeare” has not even been addressed, which leads us to believe that it was simply played up to get us, the viewers, to watch the show. The fact is however, that we would really like to know the truth about what really happened to the meerkat they called Shakespeare…was he killed in the fight with the dominant male of the Lazili’s or did he simply leave the family to start his own group? There are many people confused about this, and I promised that I would write you to attempt to find out, as it seems the producers of the show are not going to tell us. I believe that the show is actually not shown in sequence, but rather made up of various clips edited together to make up a show. I don’t want to take up too much of your valuable time, so if you could let us know what really happened to Shakespeare and Tosca that would be greatly appreciated. We know we can depend on you to deliver the truth…the producers of the show are another story. Thank -you so much! Sincerely,
Dear
You want the truth….you can’t handle the truth.
Sorry, only joking. In answer to your questions, I can reassure you that the makers of ‘Meerkat Manor’ haven’t been mocking up their story lines, in fact i personally have a great deal of respect for the sincere effort they make to incorporate factually accurate story lines into the series. It is not a case of them writing a few ideas down, coming out to the Kalahari and hoping to pick up enough shots to make up what they want. In fact the ‘Meerkat Manor’ production has committed huge amounts of time to just being out in the wilderness with the Whiskers group recording the true stories that occur in their lives. To be honest the meerkats may even do a better job of making the script than any writer could.
We the Kalahari Meerkat Project, have been here for 13 years and are fully aware of the fascinating little soap opera that is played out in the population of meerkats we study. The ‘Meerkat Manor’ producers have taken on ex-meerkat project research staff to correctly inform them about everything they are seeing and have thus far not included any factually inaccurate stories. In fact, they more than any other film production have illustrated the startling conflict within and between meerkat groups as well as their amazing cooperative behaviour. As a scientist i am not so keen on the anthropomorphism involved in creating and developing the characters in the series, scientists tend to avoid assuming animals feel in exactly the same way as humans, we just don’t know, however, the events are accurate.
With regards to Shakespeare’s story, he was bitten by a snake and did fully recover to become one of the best helpers in the group, in fact it was more spectacular than was conveyed in ‘Meerkat Manor’. But we just do not know what his ultimate fate was, meerkats are often killed defending pup’s, Shakespeare was a babysitter the day before and Lazuli were in the area. However it is equally possible that he was killed by a predator, dispersed to another group, or was killed by another group whilst trying to join them, we just weren’t there on that particular day. This is unfortunate, but we cant know everything about each meerkat. The film producers were stuck and probably drew inspiration from an incident at two other groups in the population of over 250 meerkats, where a meerkat was killed defending pups successfully.
What i can inform you off, is that just as much has happened since and will continue to happen in the future, there are still many frankly amazing events that occur in a meerkats life that have not been covered. I am delighted that you have been able to draw as much entertainment out of the meerkats lives as we do when studying them. I my self have spent over 4000 hours observing meerkats, that’s an awfully long time and they need charisma and entertainment to keep you here that long.
Best Wishes
Tom Flower Field Project Manager Kalahari Meerkat Project Kuruman River Reserve
This message has been edited. Last edited by: wsoconnell,
Thank you for informing us. It's sad that we may never know for sure what happened.One thing that still bothers me is the fate of Tosca. They say they don't know but yet they had a collar on her.Did the collar fail, go out of range or what?
I understand that wild animals roam sometimes but how do you lose track of one wearing a radio collar? Did they turn it off when Flower beat her again. My family fell in love with them since the first season and we really need answers. Someone please help!!
I believe the radio collar was taken off when Flower, and the seven other meerkats, made it back to the main group. The radio collar was taken off, Flower booted her from the group, and then she died within the next two months.
I am glad to see that Tom Flower (interesting last name) answered our concerns. I do agree that those of us who have watched the show since it's beginning seem to try to make the Meerkats human like when they are what they are. I loved Shakespere and mourn the loss of such an adorable animal. I also love watching the antics that Flower's family seems to get into.
I will continue to watch this show because it shows us that humans aren't the only ones who do certain things. I can love to watch these adorable animals and laugh and cry with the show so long as I know that these are actual depictions of the life of a Meerkat.
And here is post #395 from the same site that I mentioned in another thread.
Here is the letter from Alex Thornton of Cambridge:
Dear Deidre,
I’m sorry I have taken so long to get back to you. I am very happy to hear that you have enjoyed watching Meerkat Manor. I do my research at the field site where the programme is filmed and have got to know the various film crews pretty well. The crews come out in groups of two (one camera man and one sound assistant) for six week stints. They spend practically the whole time with Whiskers, one of the fourteen groups of habituated meerkats on the reserve. I don’t know much about how the programme is put together and edited, but the sequences shown in the episodes I have seen are all footage of things that actually happened. I was collecting data on Whiskers on the day Shakespeare was bitten and called the film crew over to have a look when the group started mobbing a puff adder. Shakespeare looked pretty bad after the bite (puff adder bites can be fatal to humans), but eventually recovered, as they showed on the programme. Because they are wild animals, it is impossible to know for certain what happens to all of them. Sometimes individuals disappear and it is very difficult to know whether they were predated or joined another group. Shakespeare disappeared from Whiskers some time after he recovered from the snake bite. It is possible that he has become dominant in an unhabituated group outside our reserve (an individual of his size has been seen in one of the neighbouring groups), but we can’t say for certain if it is Shakespeare. I suppose Meerkat Manor didn’t go into Shakespeare’s fate for the simple reason that we don’t honestly know what his fate was. The same is true of Tosca. I hope that this clears things up a little. I’m sorry I can’t give you more specific information on Shakespeare or Tosca, but that is the nature of working with animals. I hope you enjoy the new series.
All the best, Alex – Alex Thornton Large Animal Research Group Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge
I applaud both Mr. Flower and Mr. Thornton for giving us as much information as they could under the circumstances. I will continue to watch MM and enjoy the litta fellas, whoever they are in the episodes.
Please Tom Flower Field Project Manager Kalahari Meerkat Project Kuruman River Reserve
Please, Please I know this sounds nuts, and rest assured I will continue to watch the show (would you belive I cried when Shakespeare was biten by that rotten snake.) I actually stayed up to 12:00 (eastern time) to re visit the saga.
I need to know that little Shakespeare is ok, (no I don't want to believe that he's dead)
Please, I won't tell.........
Theresa
This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod_kelly,
I still watch as well.. I do applaud the fact that they did answer the questions..
HOWEVER.. I think it was irresponsible of Animal Planet to do a "tease" tune in for season 2 for the fate of Shakespeare and I remember CLEARLY TV Guide for 9/29 stated NEW Season of Meerkat Manor tune in to find out Shakespeare's fate (you know you were worried!)
To not hear anything that was what was upsetting.. I do know the circle of life, and even death of it all but dont tease the viewers that way.. my 7 year old was confused no mention of Shakespeare at all..
I am not 7 years old, but I sobbed my heart out when I saw the Meerkat I thought was courageous Shakespeare being attacked by the Lazuli in the burrow defending the pups. Now I read he actually disappeared after the adder bite. Which Meerkat was in the burrow? Know what...I still would have sobbed myself to sleep that night. Animal planet does not have to perpetuate a lie to attract viewers. I will continue to watch my little earthlings, laugh & cry at their antics and find joy and sorrow in their life events & tragedies.
I agree with caitlynsmom6599 that they shouldn't have put the teaser out to watch the "NEW Season of Meerkat Manor tune in to find out Shakespeare's fate". And i've been watching to see if they said anything about Tosca as well....
I think if you read Tom Flowers Letter a second time you will have your answers. Shakespeare was last seen the day before the Lazuli were in the Whiskers area. The attack on the Whiskers bough was based on other meerkat events. They really do not know what happened to him.
I want to thank you for posting the answers from the Project Manager. I too feel that the producers have teased the viewers in commercials for the programs new season with answers as to the fate of Shakespeare. If they do not know what happened to Shakespeare, they should have just said so. If we are able to witness the life and death struggles of this little group, then we should be able to take the truth on the fate of Shakespeare. Saying that his fate is unknown is better than being led along with no answer at all. I also must have missed the announcement of Big Si's cause of death. Only that the dominant female is alone since his death. Death from what? When? There is not enough information in Sean Astin's narrative, and too much innuendo. Only on this posting have the answers been given, and most viewers are still left in the dark by the producers. So, the credit goes to those who sought the truth and reported it!
Hmm... This whole Shakesphere story is ver sad.. and confusing!! I agree.. If you do not know the fate, atleast state it... Don't just leave us habging week to week in hopes that maybe one day they will announce it. I did notice one thing though... In the old MM introduction.. They introduced each Meerkat and Shakesphere was one of them.. In season 2's intro., there is no mention of Shakesphere.. It seems as if little Mitch has taken the place of heroic Shakesphere.. Even if we never hear from him again.. He was a great part of MM and is the main character that "hooked" me and got me watching. Guess we'll just have to keep tuning in to see!!
yes, Big Si did come down with TB and they had to put him to sleep, I just hope the rest of that group does not come down with it. It could wipe out a whole group it spreads so quickly, guess that's why they had to intervene and do something. Yousserian might try to get into that group looks like he is trying awful hard to become Cazan's mate
I appreciate Mr. Thorton and Mr. Flower giving us this Information. I just read today.They said another meerkat who looked like Shakespeare was seen.Haved they check anymore into this? I wonder how to get in touch with Mr. Flower and Mr.Thorton. I would like to know if there is anymore information they could give us about Shakespeare and Tosca. I don't think it was right of the animal planet saying that season 2 would tell us the key to the fate of Shakepeare and they didn't do it.
Yes Shakes was marked with black hair dye like the others in the study. I think he had a mark on his left shoulder and one on one of his back legs, can't remember which one. if you have the episode where he gets bit by an adder that is definitely Shakes and you should be able to see the black dye marks on him.
And the researchers cannot trespass onto private land that does not belong to them. They can see some of the other meerkat groups on the neighboring farm, but they have a lot of kats in their own study and cannot expend a lot of time looking for a needle in a haystack.
A key is not a definite answer, it is the means to open a door to see what lies within. It is up to you what you see inside that door.
I have some thought I would like to share. This may have been brought up before, but I haven't gone through all the messages on the message board. When Shakespeare was at the burrow babysitting and he saw the Lazuli coming, he took the pups down into the burrow. We saw him down there cuddling them. We then saw Big Si go down into the burrow to find them. The scene went back to Shakespeare and the pups. I remember seeing Shakepeare leave the pups with his mouth opened like he was about to attack. I believe Big Si was right there and that's where they had the fight, even though they never showed the fight.They ahould have i ton film. Big Si got out of the burrow and escaped and later died of TB. I am wondering why the researchers cameras were unable to find Shakespeare. Looks like if he was still down there they would have it on film or if he got out of the burrow they should have it on film, since they have cameras everywhere. They follow the meerkats every move. For example when they go out to find food, they have cameras there. Any thoughts?
I am also wondering where wsoconnell was able to find Mr. Thorton and Mr. flower. What site did he/she go to?
I forgot to mention this in my last message I left. If you go to google and type in cambridge university study of whiskers meerkat family, one of thes sites that will come up is "Careless Whiskers Meerkat Manor 2 from inside box zap2it." Click on this site and scroll down. There are different comments by people, but there is one that caught my attention. It was written by someone named Sandy Jean. She says that years ago there was a show about Meerkats and it showed the seen where Skakespeare was bitten by that puff adder.
I know back in the late 90's that PBS showed a domumentary on meerkats and I remember a family of meerkats all getting killed except for one male and he went to find another family. I don't remember seeing any of them getting bitten by a snake. Does anybody remember this or another show about meerkats?
Hey I found Alex Thorton's email address on the Cambridge University site. I am going to email him and see if he knows anymore than he told wosconnell. If you want his email address it is jantzcam.ac.uk. i will let you know if and when he emails me back and what he says.
So, after going through the hoops of signing up to yet another site..I see people asking the same question I have/had re: Shakespier. So when is AP going to put up on the web site and the show, the answer: "We don't know what happened to him"? That would end all the speculation. My other question that hopefully someone involved with the show can answer is...when/will(?) there be a DVD of the shows? I have missed a few and can't catch all of them but would love to see the series on DVD. Can anyone do this for us? Also..will there be any re-runs after the season ends that those of us who have missed certain episodes may be able to catch up on them with?
Interesting information -- I thank you for posting it up, wsoconnel and meerkatmama. I would also like to extend my gratitude to both Mr. Flower and Mr. Thornton, as every scrap of information concerning the Whiskers that comes our way is helpful and is very much accepted and appreciated.
I also refuse to believe that Shakespeare has passed on, but, as was stated previously, you cannot predict the nature of animals.
Again, thank you for these pieces of information, guys.
So what happened to courageous Shakespeare?Is he dead or alive?I need to know!Please if you could go to the burrow where he was last seen and some how search it for his body.Also what happened to rebelious Tousca?Is she alive and ahead of her own group with Carlos or is she dead?Those two were one of my favorites please look for a body and tell us the truth about what happened to our courageous and rebelious little meerkats.I need to know the fate of Shakespeare and Tousca!I need more info please post the fate of our lovable meerkat fan favorites.
If you haven't read the beginning of this message board, you should do so. There are two letters, one from Tom Flower and one from Alex Thorton. It looks like it wasn't Shakepeare that Big Cy had the fight with. I think Shakepeare is alive and well. He may have gone off and started his own family. I hope so. I am not sure about Tosca. We may never know for sure where they are. We all hope they will find out where they are and if they are alive.
I belive infact it was Big Cy Shakespeare was fighting against along with the entire Lazuli rapidly pouring into the burrow.Shakespeare was never seen again so i belive that he infact sadly died defending Flower's pups.How would the pups survive without Shakespeare there defending them.The chances of the pups surviving that attack alone are 0 to 100.Tousca on the other hand I belive is dead.She would not be able to join a group since she is a female and I belive her pups died before they born and I also belive Tousca died of starvation.Sadly I belive what I said is true.Life is tough and it was especially tough fro Shakespeare and Tousca.They shall never be forgotten ever! LONG LIVE SHAKESPEARE AND TOUSCA!
It wasn't Carlos that died of TB. It was Big Si. The reasearchers put him to sleep. It was not Shakespeare that had the fight with Big Si. Shakespeare was babysitting the day before the Lazuli came calling. Look on some the other messge boards for more information.
Hi eruth66, how did you find out Big Cy had TB and the researchers put him down? Ihave been wondering what he died from and have found no information about this. I didn't know meerkats could get TB and is it rampant among them? Are those that came in contact with him in danger? If so maybe Shakes got sick with this disease after the fight with Big Cy. What do you think? Does Pronker know about this?
eruth the show your talking about is where my name comes from , the 1 survivor was named littleboy,, i dont know why they dont play that show on animal planet, im pretty sure they have the rights to since it was on the disclovey site!
Segment 2: "Meerkats: A Kalahari Saga" Meerkats, a type of mongoose, live in close-knit families or groups, dominated by an adult male and female. The youngest male in this particular family, and the focus of our meerkat story, is known as "Little Boy." Join Little Boy and his family as they struggle to survive the Kalahari's Desert's harsh conditions by living and working together. Learn about the special role each family member plays within this environment
heres a clip from the documentary http://www.discoveryglobaled.org/whoweare/onlineclips.html
This is a reply I got from Alex Thorton after I emailed him. Not much new.
I apologise for the delay in replying to your query. I am afraid that the honest answer about Shakespeare's fate is that we don't know what happened to him. He is a wild animal and did not have a radio collar, so there is no way of knowing precisely what happened to him when he left Whiskers. It is possible that he has emigrated to another group outside our reserve(who knows, he may even be the dominant male somewhere), he may have been predated, or he might have been killed in a fight with Lazuli (there were a lot of interactions between Whiskers and Lazuli around the time Shakespeare disappeared, but it was not possible for us to be present to witness all of them). I am sorry that I can't give you any more precise information, but that is the nature of working with wild animals.
I hope you carry on enjoying the programme. All the best,
Than you Eruth for the letter fom Alex Thornton. I wish that the researchers had access to more of the land in the Kalahari to look for Shakespeare . I can pretty much guess that they wish this was true as well. I guess that the people that believe in a higher power and a higher place(Heaven) will have to wait until we get there to have this mystery solved. Thanks again for your hard work. Candace
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