I just read somewhere that Hannibal has passed away. Does anyone know if this is true?

yes

Hannibal ( real name Jim Bob Vivian ) was last seen in May, according to the KMP website.

What happened to him?

GDS, I believe he died of TB. BTW, GDS, welcome to the burrow!!

Yes, it was TB. That's also the disease that took Big Si. The Vivian, who play the Commandoes on MM, are being ravaged by it. I think I read that they're down to 9 members.

Attila

Hannibal was euthenized to stop the spread. Probably several others too.

Jenny,
He was euthanized? Where did you read that? Big Si/Basil was euthanized, but I never heard about Hannibal being euthanized, just that he'd passed away.

RIP JimBob

Poor Hannibal RIP Buddy!

Isn't this euthanization interference of nature?

Euthanized...
I never pictured Hannibal goin down like that. Im really gonna miss him.
RIP Hannibal, my meerkat brother, you will be missed.

I'm pretty sure Kitty although I can't swear to it, maybe I'm thinking of Big Si but if it's true he had TB then it stands to reason he was euthanized with the others.

We'll have to ask member 'pronker'. She'd know for sure.

I also read somewhere that Hannibal had TB and the producers had to put him down. Do you know if his death will be revealed in Season 3?

BTW, why does it seem as though there's a TB epidemic in Season 3?

Big Cy AND Hannibal put down for TB, and I hear another small gang was entirely wiped out. They put down two sick animals, but they wouldn't treat carols for a simple infection, just like unneutered housecats get from fighting. It doesn't seem right.

To those who are posting that Jimbob (Hannibal) was euthanized, what is your source (Wikipedia doesn't count )? According to the KMP life history reports, Jimbob was listed as "absent at end of month" for April, and "last seen" for May. If he was euthanized, I'm sure he'd be "officially" listed as dead. In the group info section, they do say he is deceased, so they probably did find a body. Maybe people are confusing Jimbob with Basil (Big Si)?

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, I just don't want unsubstantiated rumors about euthanization/intervention flying around.

If Jim Bob/Hannibal was euthanized, I think I can shed some light on why euthanizing infected kats is not interfering. The TB is transmitted to them through the cattle (bovine TB). It originated from a disease brought there by man. It's not really interfering since those kats would die from the disease, it's just ensuring that entire mobs don't die as a result.

It is a 14 year study that they would like to continue. If all the mobs died from TB, they'd have to wait for new meerkats to come into the area and habituate them, etc. It would take a long time and they would lost the continuity of the family groups they have studied.

Quote”(euthanizing infected kats is not interfering.) “Quote” (It's not really interfering since those kats would die from the disease, it's just ensuring that entire mobs don't die as a result.) However then what happen with the Starsky. Why didn’t they interfere in that? And led entire mod die.
RIP HANNIBAL I LOVE THEM ALL.

http://friends.kalahari-meerkats.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=life&id=P1020654

Anyone you recognize? Yes our sweet good looking little Hannibal.

From the FKMP: "Since 2000, the Vivian family has been lead by Vivian's daughter Rhian. The long-time dominant male Jim Bob, of Young Ones origin, recently died, and several members were taken by disease."

Jim Bob is Hannibal; the Vivians are Meerkat manor's Commandoes

I think everyone should send good vibes, prayers, wheatever, out to the vets so that they can stop the TB in its tracks. It would save the Meerkats and its one less suffering they will go through.