Jason, this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us!

I would like to see more detail on the burrow cams. How do the researchers and videographers determine where to place a burrow cam? Can they use the radiocollar signal to approximate the location? Some footage looked like they had inserted the burrow cam from above, not via an entrance.

Is there any possibility of surveying surrounding areas for the meerkats that have left the study area? Do the researchers have any idea where all the wild meerkats have been coming from?

I also would like to see "bloopers" or outtakes.

A tour of the study area including researcher housing and laboratories would be nice. Also a tour of some of the other group areas like that of the Moomins.

By now, you've figured that many of us have been to the KMP and FKMP web sites often.

If you need a second porter to carry bags, I'll volunteer. tee hee

Hello Jason, I'd like to add my voice in saying thank you so much for doing this for us! Even though some have already brought up the TB problem,it has been one of my major concerns as well. Has TB always been such a devastating problem for meerkats or something more recent? Is it known how they became infected in the beginning? It would be great fun to see a special on Animal Planet from time to time of behind the scenes footage-bet there is alot! Thanks again.

Thank you Jason!

One thing I have always wanted to see is how the Meerkats are approached for weighing and radio collar checking, etc. is done. Seeing the Meerkats size in relation to the size of the researchers would be intersting. They always look so big when on film when we know they are so tiny. Also being able to see the vet tranquilize the Kats for radio collar removal or for a fitting. Seeing the pups up close eating egg, drinking water, etc. So really, anything that has to do with 'hands on' research up close would be GREAT!
Thank you for your willingness to make everyone happy here!

JASON...there is so much gratitude here...bless you and yours....

now, for my question:

What determines which meerkats stay behind to babysit while others forage?

Thank you...

if you can figure that one out, let me know.

Looks like you have your work cut out for you Jason. Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions to alot of "unknowns". I can't really seem to think of anything that hasn't already been asked.

Jason,

I would like to know if the researchers would be willing to do a documentary on the Meerkats. I would like to see things from their point of view. They could have someone from AP go around with them and try to visit each mob and talk about them and maybe the researchers could talk some about Flower.

Eruth

quote:

Mod Kelly, many of us have discussed the possibility of having some kind of a national meetup for Meerkat Manor fans. Do you have any way of sounding out AP to find out if they would support us and perhaps participate in some manner?

Burrowmates, what do you think? If we can get both ECMS and WCMS together and put a plan together for a Meerkat Meetup in the future, how many of you would want to participate. It would be a big undertaking so we would have to plan the timeframe to be up to a year out. I think it would just be great to meet you all. What do you all think?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod_kelly, 02-12-08 05:35 PM

Okay, the last message from Mod Kelly said that the great "they" of AP are aware of this thread under "A Question for Mod/AP...regarding a national convention of sorts". She also felt that the subject would get more attention under this thread. There are many great suggestions in the other thread, and I will take the time to copy them over if need be, but they are available on the Welcome to the Burrow Board.

Soooo, Jason, would you mind looking over our proposal and possibly add your support? We all would deeply appreciate any help/support offered to make this happen for all MM/AP/KMP fans. We include ideas for zoo participation, as well as opportunities for vendors like cafepress to meet the fan base as well as tying the event into the upcoming season 4 and/or the "Flower" movie.

I love your idea, Eruth.

Will there be a 2008 season of meerkat manor. There were so many changes last year it won't be the same but I still would like to be able to follow along.
Flower will never b forgotten but her pus are worth watching as they go on with there lives.

Will there be a 2008 season of Meerkat Manor?
It wouldn't be the same after so many changes last year. But it would be nice to see Flowers pups as they go on with their lives. Our beautiful Flower will never be forgotten.

Hey grnyyg, check out Jason's first post...Season 4 begins June 2008.

Thank you Jason for this opportunity. You asked for visual opportunities? Everyone here love all aspects of Meerkat life and we would never grow bored watching them play with the pups, eat, groom each other and just be a family.

On one show could you possibly show the reserve? We've seen small snippets of it, but have no idea of the scope of the project. The water trough, the rondavels where the EarthWatchers stay. The dunes and river beds where the kats forage? And possibly any interaction the kats have with other animals in the reserve. I'm afraid I've seen enough kat/snake interaction to last a lifetime.

Also, if the Whiskers aren't doing much that day I'd vote to watch another group playing, eating, teaching the pups.. It doesn't take much in the way of Meerkats to satisfy some people. Just think how many of us sit for hours watching a web cam at a zoo with 5 meerkats. We don't need war every week. Thank you again for offering to do this for us.

I think that somebody already asked this:

I'd like to see the interaction between researchers and the meerkats.

Jason, Thank you for letting us know that we can have some of our questions answered. As an educator, will there be some type of video that could be used for schools? I teach elementary science and learning about these creatures would be nice. The series dvd's can be a little harsh. Any way a science teacher could ever get picked to go?

i have a few questions from a really good friend of mine who isnt a member of this forum. i told her about this and she was sooo excited, so im doing her a favor and posting her questions!!!

"How did JD get bit by Hannibal?"
"How did Lola get bit by a snake?"

there ya go!

-NC1-

Thanks Jason for this opportunity!

Since a number of meerkats have been killed by vehicles, would it be possible to see the way the manor is laid out in conjunction with the main roads? I would have thought that most vehicles traveling near the KMP area would have been supply or research vehicles.

I'd also like to see the onsite vet clinic.

Would it be possible for us to see the initial attempt at habituating a wild meerkat? I'd really love to see how one reacts to the researchers initial approach. Does it dart down the nearest bolthole or does it go scurrying away, or does it attempt to "scare away" the researcher by means of wardancing or such?

Thank you again, Jason, and to Animal Planet!

I too would like to see the on site Vet Clinic and what all they do for the Meerkats.

Eruth

Great idea, Eruth! Id like to see that too.

Mr. Jason...if you are the producer of this MM website, does this mean that you have say-so over what is posted on the MM site? If we disagree with Mod Kelly's editorial 'authority', who can we appeal to? I don't even know how to write to her, so there must be someone/somehow bring issues to the attention of. How about some help?

~lemurs on MM? Youve got to be kidding me? ~

Despite all I have read and posted is there anything, a special dedication or a remembrance for Flower that we could be shown?

Just wondering....

Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for taking the time to submit your questions over the last few weeks. I went through this thread today and gathered what I think are the best questions and will be sending them off to the researchers tonight! They are eager to answer as many of your questions as possible, so it will definitely end up being more than the 10-12 I had originally planned. Everyone working on Meerkat Manor is very excited that we can connect with you in this way. So, thank you!

To answer your question about the Meerkat Manor movie, it will be coming out shortly before the premiere of Season 4, but I can't give specific dates at this time. Also, we'll be launching several new exciting features for the website this year, most of which will start rolling out in mid-to-late May, just ahead of the Season 4 premiere. We are also planning to post new Meerkat Manor videos online in the next month or so. So if you love the 'kats, get excited!

What else... about the Meerkat Manor convention, I can definitely shop that idea around and see if it's something that Animal Planet can host on your behalf. I'm not in a position to create that for you, but I can pass your suggestion along to people that might be able to help. Fingers crossed!

As the producer for this site, I'll try to check in with you every so often to let you know what's coming up, see if you have any questions I might be able to answer, etc.

Thanks again for loving the meerkats as much as we do.

Jason Robey
Interactive Producer
Animal Planet.com

Jeezz, I just missed Jason!! Anyway, how about a Name a Pup contest?? Or, a contset that allows a fan to goto the Kalahari? It's a long shot!

Those are actually really good ideas jferret! We'll definitely consider them. I know you ALL want to go to the Kalahari - me too! - so I'll look into that for you. No guarantees, but "Name a Pup" should be easier to pull off. If anyone else has any great ideas along these lines, please let me know.

Jsson Robey
Interactive Producer
Animal Planet.com

Jason how wonderful...so much good news. Season 4 in June, the Meerkat Manor movie shortly BEFORE Season 4 (Thanks for addressing my inquiry); "new exciting features' beginning in May and videos online soon!

Having our questions answered and seeing the researchers...more of them than first thought! Wow a first....

Possibly a convention: Woo hoo !!!!!

Then along comes jferret with Name the Pup and a contest...the prize?...a trip to to the Kalahari, maybe two from AP chat could go together, maybe maybe.....

"So if you love the 'kats, get excited!" says Jason our friend, listen, Be still my heart...I am having palpitations and ready to do a happy dance.

Do we love our meers? Do we ever!