No meerkat without a permit
A meerkat found in Mindalore will be freed into the wild to live happily ever after with his new family.
A mother and daughter from Mindalore found a wandering fluffy creature when they took a stroll to the shop one afternoon.
After returning home, the daughter quickly started phoning around to find out what to do with the meerkat they had found.
They came into contact with Free Me, a wildlife rehabilitation centre of which staff members later came to take the meerkat to a safe shelter.
The News is happy to report that the male meerkat is adjusting just fine at his new home at the Free Me clinic.
Since the initial article was published on the News’ website, (click here to read) the owners have come forward demanding their precious meerkat.
The News attempted to make contact with the owners to speak to them about the meerkat, however, they have failed to return any of the News’ calls.
Sad but true, the owners will have to say goodbye to their beloved pet as they do not have a permit for the wild animal whom they claim have been living with them for the past five years.
“If you have a valid permit and supporting documents, you are more than welcome to come fetch your wild animal,” says Penelope Norkel, Clinic Manager of Free Me.
Since the male meerkat has been relocated to Free Me, Penelope is happy with the progress he has been making this past week, including bonding with a new female friend.
The male meerkat easily adapted to his new (girl)friend as this specie is known for their social behaviour.
“He is starting to show more and more meerkat behaviour by socially interacting with the other meerkats.”
Penelope claimed the Gauteng Nature Conservation Department does not grant permits for keeping meerkats as pets as the environment in Gauteng is not the same as their natural habitats. Keeping a meerkat as a pet in Gauteng actually is considered illegal.
She further told the News that illegal breeders sell baby meerkats for up to R4 000 on sites such as Gumtree and OLX.
After the rehabilitation of the male meerkat, the new family will be released into their suitable habitat in the wild in spring where Free Me will continue to monitor them.
May the little fluffy meerkat from Mindalore and his new love live a long and happy life together in the wild.
