Does the L.A. Zoo's only meerkat need company?

Are you worried about Chico, the (only) meerkat in residence at the Los Angeles Zoo? Well, some animal activists (inspired by no doubt by "Meerkat Manor") believe he needs company. Times staff writer Lynn Smith reports:

Chico, the meerkat in residence at the Los Angeles Zoo, is alone.

Whether that is a tolerable state of affairs is being debated by zoo officials and animal activists whose support and affection for the small mammal has been fueled by cable television's popular “Meerkat Manor.”

As on the Animal Planet series, the meerkat is a highly social creature. The furry mammals forage together, serve as guards and baby sitters for each other, and even strategize about war tactics. And meerkats who violate clan rules suffer a most dire fate -- banishment.

Just as his TV brethren, Chico needs company, contend local activists.

"Kids ask, 'Where are his friends? He needs to have friends.' It's very sad," said Janelle Fisher of Sierra Madre, leader of the Chico Project, which has focused on the lone meerkat since his burrow mate died in January.

A website petition with about 900 signatures is hoping to persuade zoo officials either to get a few roommates for Chico or transfer him to another zoo, where he can make new friends. (It's at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Help-Chico-live-like-a-meerkat-should.)

"They need companionship," said Fisher, who visits Chico every two weeks and likens the 9-year-old mammal's solitary condition to a virtual death sentence.

But zoo officials disagree. Meerkats can be managed as solitary animals with appropriate care, said Jason Jacobs, an L.A. Zoo spokesman. Other institutions, including the Denver Zoo, also tend to lone meerkats.

Jacobs said the zoo had talked with several institutions about relocating Chico, or obtaining other animals to join him, but he declined to name the institutions.

Photo: Heinrich Van Den Berg / Animal Planet

Comments

[Angie Airdo]

I feel that Chico should not be alone and I've been apart of trying to help him get a burrowmate. There are over 150 kids 6-12 here in Chicago that have done letters/drawings to the L.A. Zoo telling them that Chico needs a friend.

Meerkats are not solitary animals and do not do well alone. Therefore if this zoo can not provide him the basic of needs then they don't deserve to have him.
Jason's comments are false, there have been well over 20 emails probably over 200 emails have been sent to this zoo regarding Chico.
There are also false statements about his diet, believe me if they were feeding Chico what they claim in this article Chico would be loving it and we wouldn't be complaining about it.
Main point is this poor meerkat needs a friend, bottom line.

[Christine Samusick]

I have personally interacted with Meerkats and know how gregarious, curious and social they are. Chico does not act like a happily socialized Meerkat.

The last time I saw Chico, it was a sunny warm day in springtime and he was either hiding under a rock or sitting on top of the same rock nervously scanning the sky for preditors.

This is a sad and lonely Meerkat. Solitary Confinement for a Meerkat is a death sentence. They do not fare well on their own.

I also saw kibble in his feed bowl, not crickets, feeder mice nor any grapes.

I have personally written to the LA Zoo 4 times and know several others who have also written. I also know that there are about 200 cards and drawings of meerkats, wondering where Chico's friends are and why the Zoo is forcing him to live alone. I am also wondering the same.

I would think that if the LA Zoo can not give Chico the care he needs and deserves, wouldn't they send him back to the Zoo he came from just last year? I am sure that the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky would be more than happy to re-introduce him to his old family. Meerkat families always allow natal males to return to their burrow, the same is not true unfortunately, for females.

Today there are 1,112 signatures on the petition at the care2.com site, from as far away as Australia and Romania!!

[Kathy Somerville]

There is so much wrong with this article that I don't know where to start. First of all, when did animal welfare turn into animal activist? Being concerned for an animals welfare is something that concerns us all. When I spent time in schools teaching responsible pet ownership I never got called an activist. When I spent hours working with a local humane society, I was never called an activist. When I filled in on weekends taking care of animals in the local shelter, I never got called an activist. Now, because some of us happen to be concerned, about an animals welfare, we are activists? Our love of animals do not start or end with our household pets. If there are animals in the care of organizations that aren't living up to their end of that bargin, then you step up
and take the time to try to find a solution to the problem. The LA Zoo doesn't seem to think they have a problem. Well we are all entitled to an opinion. We may all watch Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet, but there again that is not the reason for the protests against the Zoo's treatment of Chico. We do know that Meerkats are wild animals, but it's not the first or the last wild animal that accepts human attention. We have been told by the Zoo that they have been in contact with other facilities to locate Chico a friend or to relocate him. There doesn't seem to be anything to back up this claim. They don't want to tell you who they contacted? Right, how much contact have they really initiated? I do not claim to know everything about the conditions at the Zoo nor do I claim to know all about Meerkats. I do know that a solitary life for a family oriented animal can not be a good life. I am very glad that my local Zoo is not LA. Maybe the LA Zoo needs to send someone to Pittsburgh, PA to learn how to care for a Meerkat. They seem to be doing a great job. So much so that they have a web cam on their Meerkats. Step up LA, do the right thing.

[jane]

Chico should be with other meerkats. They are very social and lone meerkats are under stress in the wild since there is no one to help with guard duty. Him being alone changes much of his behavior and may place him under stress.

I wonder what his diet is like if the keepers aren't keeping him in a group situation.

[MIchelle]

Meerkats are social animals and no human can take the place of a meerkat. The zoo has this delusional theory that the keepers are keeping him company. A meerkat is a meerkat and needs to interact with other kats. As for his sentry duty, he will continue to do this as a natural defense. In the wild meerkats rely on their mob for support. While some do sentry duty others forage. The roles change every day. Chico has no one to relieve him of his sentry duty. This is a sign of paranoia. Furthermore, visitors have seen kibbles in his bowl. Not even a crumb of kibbles is good for meerkats. You are only causing him to become obese, which will result to other health issues. I understand that the zoo is probably doing their best to find Chico a home, and the public is not aware of this. However, I believe the zoo needs to address the public and admit that Chico does need a mob or companion, instead of believing that he can live alone. I appreciate that the zoo has stated that he does have arthritis and dental issues and that these problems will determine where he goes. Perhaps one of the lone females at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. could be a good companion for him. Good luck to the Zoo in finding Chico a happy home. I do hope it will be soon. Seven month alone is a long time for a meerkat.

[Barb]

First off...I am not an Animals Activist.
I am someone who loves animals.
When I read of Chico's situations it broke my heart.
Meerkats are a social animals.Meerkats groom each other.They supply warmth to each other.They form security with each other.They simply need each other to servive.
A solitary Meerkat is pretty much sentenced to dead from loneliness!
Yes Chico needs company.
It is the responsibility of those who take care of Chico to give him all he needs to live a long,happy,Healthy life.
And Responsibility falls to the Zoo that has him in their care.
Please dont let Chico Die,get him what he needs ,Company or a new home!

[Susan Wood]

Meerkats are, by nature, social animals. They live in groups in the wild and have an extremely cooperative society. Lone meerkats exist in only a few, usually dire, circumstances and their instincts lead them to attempt to re-integrate into existing groups because that is where they know they are safest. How difficult it must be to be alone with no opportunity for companionship or shared responsibilities when you have always had companions or family around you. Human interaction is not a replacement for instinct. Chico should have other meerkats with which to interact. If the LA Zoo cannot provide him with companions, he should be transferred to a zoo that can. To force him to live alone is cruel and if attempting to convince the Zoo to better Chico's life is being activist, I have no qualms about being labeled as such.

[Jax]

This poor little meerkat should not be left by itself for the rest of its life. they say that Meerkats can be managed on thier own, but does thta really mean he is happy? its bad enough the poor guy has to eat Dog Food. He needs a better diet and a firend if he wants to live the rest of his life happy. Either they get him a friend, or get him to a Zoo that can take him and put him with other meerkats. and the first choice would be more easy.

[Melissa Gray]

Just because Chico is breathing does not mean that he has an acceptable life.

Please do the right thing and get him a companion or allow him to move to another zoo where he could join other meerkats in a proper setting.

[Jeannie Poulos]

Please help Chico

[Christian Hall]

What I have to say for Chico has been said. It should not have to be said by so many to get results. Please, I ask the L.A. zoo, do not use this poor animal for media coverage or any other purpose other than to help you be better people by taking care of them.
I am proud to stand and speak among so many who come forward for this little meerkat. Your hearts are strong, your words are true, and your purpose is divine. Let's not stop with Chico. Let's stand up for the many who are being led by the uncaring few. It is time for the light to shine, and the heart to be heard.

[Carol]

The tenor of this article suggests that the interest in Chco is derived from a TV show and that this some how makes interest in his welfare less credible or genuine. This does not release the LA Zoo of it's responsiblity to properly care for Chico. They even refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem. As many, many others have stated meerkats are social animals, and need other meerkats to survive.
LA Zoo: Do the Right Thing!!!

[Karen]

This is a crime against nature and quite clearly animal abuse. Why is it allowed to happen? Clearly the L.A.Zoo is in a "no one can tell us what to do with our animals" mode. This attitude does no one any good, especially Chico. If they really, truly cared about him they would listen to those who know what they are talking about and have Chico's best interest at heart. Please don't let him die a sad, lonely death. He deserves so much better. Give him back to his family.

[J. Gilfillan]

If the Zoo thought Spanky needed a companion, why don't they think Chico does? How do we get some non interested, objective researcher to tell us if Chico is actually overweight?

[Jennifer Miller]

While I appreciate the newspaper reporting on Chico's living conditions, I think the writer set a tone in the article that seemed to indicate that some ultra radical animal rights group was stirring up trouble at the LA zoo. I am not an ultra radical animal activist. I do love animals and I respect that what happens to animals in their natural environment ( good or bad) is how the environment operates. But I get upset when I read reports that animals in their unnatural environment ( a zoo for instance) is not being properly cared for. I am sure the zoo keepers think they are performing proper care. If they are, then allow an outside auditor in to verify it. The zoo has gone on the defensive and is more worried about their PR than about taking corrective action.

I think the best thing that could happen to Chico is that a rescue organization take him in. The East Coast Meerkat Society can provide that contact information.

[Veronica L Roth]

There is an arrogance that pervades the responses of the LA Zoo that is most unforunate. They have have opportunity to partner with a worldwide Society that cares for and supports the wellbeing of MeerKats. However the LA Zoo management has dug in its burrow, and firmly declared it is the only "decider" on Chico's fate. I would ask that the LA Zoo recall, as all zoo's must, their charter: The care and well being of the precious animal lives you are charged with.

Welcome then, the support of the greater, even world community in that endeavor.

[zoo volunteer friend]

A friend of mine volunteers at the zoo. They gave him a female friend but she kept attacking him. That's why he's by himself. They decided to let him live out his life at the zoo, then they will bring over a whole family of meerkats. They are considering sending him to a sanctuary to live out his life and bring in the other meerkat family now. They will be making a decision about his fate soon. The zoo is not trying to be mean by leaving him by himself. They want other meerkats.

[Harriet Trainor]

Just because he is a Meerkat doesn't mean he doesn't need to be with his own kind.

[Cheryl Moore]

Chico needs a companion as Meerkats and social animals and do not do well alone. I am also worried about his diet which appears to be poor. If the female didn't like him find another or get a move on and find Chico another home where he can have a good life. Nine months is too long to be considering this poor little guy's fate. Please do the right thing for this wonderful little creature.

[MaryJane Cooper]

Many experts have described a Meerkat's typical life as living in a burrow with family, helping to raise the babies, acting in the family's best interest, keeping watch over the family, etc. So why does the L.A.Zoo deny that Chico doesn't need a family? He most certainly thrives best in a family structure than with one or - Heaven forbid - no companions at all. If the Major of L.A. and the Zoo operators pledge to operate the Zoo for the benefit of all its the animals, then the Zoo needs to live up to its promise and take good care of Chico. Find him some companions, give him enough sand for burrowing, feed him properly - OR LET HIM GO TO A SANCTUARY THAT WILL CARE FOR HIM!
Praying for Chico, MaryJane

[ann-marie]

God bless this poor soul everyone who knows meerkats knows they are social animals, and I am appalled that the zoo wont recognize this extremely important fact

I only pray that our little Chico will make it to fellow earthlings sanctuary ( that i have made a donation to)
for reasons like this.
message to Chico..........I love you little dude
good luck

[ester jackson]

the moral progress and the greatness of a nation are judged upon how they treat animals- MAHATMA GHANDI-
How would u feel if u were locked up all allone and under poor conditions(junk food, insufficent care etc.)?????Have compassion take good care of him, give him possibility to roam outside, feed him well and get him a companion....of course the best for him would be freedom....but if not at least do the above!!!

[Mike Katz]

Sorry zoo volunteer's friend, you are spewing the same type hype the zoo has spread. There is no documentation that a female was introduced. Don't you think the curator when interviewed would have said so. Do you know how many stories the zoo people tell. There are so many different ones from one is coming from Africa to we are waiting for him to die. Maybe your friend the volunteer is naive. I would find out the truth. And who told them about the female, the snack stand guy. Chico deserves help!!!!

[Charles Lomino]

are who kidding me, who could abuse a poor little animal(especially meerkat)this way!?!? a highly social animal with not even one partner. Chicos over weight. not being fed the right food, and children are throwing chocolate into the cage and the zoo says Chico is fine??? transfer Chico, or at least give him partners.it would be better to transfer him too a nearby zoo so the residents could still visit him. and im sure one out of alot of meerkat groups in zoos would accept him(even if its not in a resident zoo). so help out our little buddy, be a good zoo, and give Chico a better home. they have feelings just like you. how would you like it. if he dies you will be hated and it will be as popular as flowers death.

[Donna]

Where is the AZA and why have they not done anything about Chico? This is just plain heartbreaking and cruel that I can't believe a zoo would ever treat an animal in their care like this. Shame on them!

[Kay Maletta]

It is very sad that Chico does not have a say in this matter. Meerkats are precious creatures & deserve to live in a habitat suited to them. They run in Mobs. Would you like to be treated like this. Please find Chico a companion or find a new habitat for him with other Meerkats.