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We were at the meerkat colony by 0730, there was still a nip in the air so the family of 11( 4 adults, 4 babies and 3 who were 6 months old) were still snuggled inside. We thought having looked at the burrow we would be asked to stand back, but no - soon after one adult emerged from one of the underground openings and stood unperturbed, by our presence, taking in the morning sun. She was however constantly vigilant looking all the way around for predators both in the sky and on the land. The only rule was as we moved around not to cast a shadow over them thereby thwarting their warming up. Soon there were two then three and eventually the whole family emerged to take the sun. That said the youngsters were more interested in playing or foraging rather that sunbathing.
We were invited to sit close to the burrow entrance; very soon after the adults and the babies were climbing on top of us to get better vantage points to look out for danger and better sunning positions.
After about 30 minutes, and nicely warmed, they set off for their days foraging - tails in the air like antennae and one or more stopping at intervals to sit up and check for predators -they headed off into the surrounding grassland. Each adult was paired with a baby and as they searched for food they would give every other thing they found to the baby - this would continue for the whole day. The other youngsters were finding their own food - one quickly found and devoured a frog - a couple more of those and it would be set up for the day.
When they came across another burrow where they smelt rivals they went into a frenzy of looking and seeing where the challenge might be coming from - this time when we sat down the male climbed to the top of our heads where he sat for ages looking for the signs of where the threat may be coming from - he also scent marked around the burrow including the bottom of my boot - 3 times - lucky it was my boot! Eventually they gave up and continued their foraging and feeding. We headed towards a salt pan watched by zebras and found another den site, which they use, and having spotted crows and later vultures they alarm called and everyone dived down the burrow. They again emerged and after climbing a thorn bush to check all was clear, they decided that they preferred the less prickly option of our heads and shoulders! ( today's photo is John with two on his shoulders- they used him as a look out post) After a further few minutes watching them we got back into the vehicle, waving a fond farewell to the family and headed back to camp. The two and a half hours we were with them fairly scooted past - Bones and I took over a 1000 photographs - he used my camera when the meerkats were clambering all over me; I eventually whittled them down to a still not inconsiderable couple of hundred! It was a brilliant experience - truly worth coming for; spending some time with these little animals and getting a glimpse inside their lives was truly magical. On the way back John spotted another family - this time really wild ones because as we approached they scooted- just showing the difference. Apparently the key to habituation is being there when the babies are born - they grow up with humans around and then encourage the others to be fearless like them.....and realise the advantages of human 'termite mounds' or 'thorn bushes'!
In the afternoon we visited and walked with local bushmen while they showed us some of their survival techniques - water from tubers, using different plants for medicines and making fire; they also showed us a bushman game -very much like paper, rock, scissors - I didn't understand the rules or scoring but they seemed to have great fun.
The tribe, whose chief knew the owner of Jacks camp- the big brother of our camp - arranged to relocate to the concession, after seeing their lifestyle being eroded, to give the youngsters a better start in life and hopefully preserve some of their traditions through sharing them with tourists.... a win win.
After sunset we did a night drive back to camp but saw nothing different to last night.
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