Chico The Lone Meerkat At the Los Angeles Zoo
Target:
To improve conditions for Meerkats at Los Angeles Zoo
Sponsored by:
Chico now has a buddy named Barky as of February 24th, 2009. Please see the youtube video below. Congratulations little ones. May you live long and healthy lives. Thank you to everyone who supported the Chico Project and signed the petition. Thank you, L.A. Zoo and Virginia Zoo for Barky. AND to the North Carolina Zoo for bringing in 4 more meerkats. There are now 2 meerkat exhibits at the L.A. Zoo. Happy Meerkat days are here again as there is a new L.A. Manor. Here is the link to the video with Chico and introducing Barky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssO-HshhcUc
Thank you,The Chico Project
Chico is a lone Meerkat at the Los Angeles Zoo. His burrowmate, Spanky, passed away last December, 2007. Chico has been in solitary confinement for over a year and the zoo has not provided him with the companionship he needs and deserves. Many overtures have been made to the zoo to improve Chico's living conditions but have been met with bureaucratic smoke and mirrors. The zoo is a department of the city.
Meerkats live successfully in groups and thrive in an environment that has sufficient food and companionship. All zoos are aware of this. Chico is fed kibble dog food and is overweight. This is appalling and the zoo is not meeting the needs of this animal. He will be nine years old this year. Meerkats have been known to live up to 17 years in captivity in groups with a proper diet.
We are hoping to make everyone aware of his case and help us improve his conditions or transfer him to a zoo that is more aware of the meerkat needs.
As of 2/18, your efforts to help Chico have made a difference. His diet has been improved and he has lost weight. The zoo has brought in 4 meerkats who are in quarantine. This petition will stay alive until we can report to you the kats are enjoying the comforts of their new home.
Youtube videos with Chico and children at the L.A. Zoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzgNw_9n2s
Chico has received newspaper and TV attention in the last few days. We have created an email for media contact for comments about Chico.
Meerkats@verizon.net
Please enjoy these two youtube videos for Chico:
This is a link to the LA Times arcticle on Chico
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-meerkat28-2008aug28,0,1659189.story
Please tell everyone to sign, we need to keep the pressure on the zoo
so, to contact the zoo call 323-644-4200
email the director @: john.lewis@lacity.org or jason.jacobs@lacity.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssO-HshhcUc
Thank you,The Chico Project
Chico is a lone Meerkat at the Los Angeles Zoo. His burrowmate, Spanky, passed away last December, 2007. Chico has been in solitary confinement for over a year and the zoo has not provided him with the companionship he needs and deserves. Many overtures have been made to the zoo to improve Chico's living conditions but have been met with bureaucratic smoke and mirrors. The zoo is a department of the city.
Meerkats live successfully in groups and thrive in an environment that has sufficient food and companionship. All zoos are aware of this. Chico is fed kibble dog food and is overweight. This is appalling and the zoo is not meeting the needs of this animal. He will be nine years old this year. Meerkats have been known to live up to 17 years in captivity in groups with a proper diet.
We are hoping to make everyone aware of his case and help us improve his conditions or transfer him to a zoo that is more aware of the meerkat needs.
As of 2/18, your efforts to help Chico have made a difference. His diet has been improved and he has lost weight. The zoo has brought in 4 meerkats who are in quarantine. This petition will stay alive until we can report to you the kats are enjoying the comforts of their new home.
Youtube videos with Chico and children at the L.A. Zoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzgNw_9n2s
Chico has received newspaper and TV attention in the last few days. We have created an email for media contact for comments about Chico.
Meerkats@verizon.net
Please enjoy these two youtube videos for Chico:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT8X5rrM9jk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Qc6h9YRXI
This is a link to the LA Times arcticle on Chico
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-meerkat28-2008aug28,0,1659189.story
Please tell everyone to sign, we need to keep the pressure on the zoo
so, to contact the zoo call 323-644-4200
email the director @: john.lewis@lacity.org or jason.jacobs@lacity.org
Chico now has a buddy named Barky as of February 24th, 2009. Please see the youtube video below. Congratulations little ones. May you live long and healthy lives. Thank you to everyone who supported the Chico Project and signed the petition. Thank you, L.A. Zoo and Virginia Zoo for Barky. AND to the North Carolina Zoo for bringing in 4 more meerkats. There are now 2 meerkat exhibits at the L.A. Zoo. Happy Meerkat days are here again as there is a new L.A. Manor. Here is the link to the video with Chico and introducing Barky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssO-HshhcUc
Thank you,The Chico Project
Chico is a lone Meerkat at the Los Angeles Zoo. His burrowmate, Spanky, passed away last December, 2007. Chico has been in solitary confinement for over a year and the zoo has not provided him with the companionship he needs and deserves. Many overtures have been made to the zoo to improve Chico's living conditions but have been met with bureaucratic smoke and mirrors. The zoo is a department of the city.
Meerkats live successfully in groups and thrive in an environment that has sufficient food and companionship. All zoos are aware of this. Chico is fed kibble dog food and is overweight. This is appalling and the zoo is not meeting the needs of this animal. He will be nine years old this year. Meerkats have been known to live up to 17 years in captivity in groups with a proper diet.
We are hoping to make everyone aware of his case and help us improve his conditions or transfer him to a zoo that is more aware of the meerkat needs.
As of 2/18, your efforts to help Chico have made a difference. His diet has been improved and he has lost weight. The zoo has brought in 4 meerkats who are in quarantine. This petition will stay alive until we can report to you the kats are enjoying the comforts of their new home.
Youtube videos with Chico and children at the L.A. Zoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzgNw_9n2s
Chico has received newspaper and TV attention in the last few days. We have created an email for media contact for comments about Chico.
Meerkats@verizon.net
Please enjoy these two youtube videos for Chico:
This is a link to the LA Times arcticle on Chico
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-meerkat28-2008aug28,0,1659189.story
Please tell everyone to sign, we need to keep the pressure on the zoo
so, to contact the zoo call 323-644-4200
email the director @: john.lewis@lacity.org or jason.jacobs@lacity.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssO-HshhcUc
Thank you,The Chico Project
Chico is a lone Meerkat at the Los Angeles Zoo. His burrowmate, Spanky, passed away last December, 2007. Chico has been in solitary confinement for over a year and the zoo has not provided him with the companionship he needs and deserves. Many overtures have been made to the zoo to improve Chico's living conditions but have been met with bureaucratic smoke and mirrors. The zoo is a department of the city.
Meerkats live successfully in groups and thrive in an environment that has sufficient food and companionship. All zoos are aware of this. Chico is fed kibble dog food and is overweight. This is appalling and the zoo is not meeting the needs of this animal. He will be nine years old this year. Meerkats have been known to live up to 17 years in captivity in groups with a proper diet.
We are hoping to make everyone aware of his case and help us improve his conditions or transfer him to a zoo that is more aware of the meerkat needs.
As of 2/18, your efforts to help Chico have made a difference. His diet has been improved and he has lost weight. The zoo has brought in 4 meerkats who are in quarantine. This petition will stay alive until we can report to you the kats are enjoying the comforts of their new home.
Youtube videos with Chico and children at the L.A. Zoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzgNw_9n2s
Chico has received newspaper and TV attention in the last few days. We have created an email for media contact for comments about Chico.
Meerkats@verizon.net
Please enjoy these two youtube videos for Chico:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT8X5rrM9jk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Qc6h9YRXI
This is a link to the LA Times arcticle on Chico
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-meerkat28-2008aug28,0,1659189.story
Please tell everyone to sign, we need to keep the pressure on the zoo
so, to contact the zoo call 323-644-4200
email the director @: john.lewis@lacity.org or jason.jacobs@lacity.org
We the undersigned" are asking you to improve the conditions of the Meerkat exhibit at the zoo. Chico is the lone Meerkat at the zoo after his burrowmate, Spanky, passed away in December, 2007. Meerkats are social animals and require companionship to survive. The time has come to enact changes, Chico has been in solitary confinement for eight months. We are asking you to help now. Arrange for more Meerkats to be added to the exhibit or transfer Chico to a zoo that offers him the life and companionship that he deserves.
We signed the "Chico The Lone Meerkat At the Los Angeles Zoo" petition!
# 3,818:
4:59 pm PST, Feb 23,
Robin Dodder, Arizona
# 3,817:
3:13 pm PST, Feb 23,
L. Cassady, Arizona
Social animals such as meerkats need interaction with their own species. By keeping Chico as a solitary animal is rather cruel. By not meeting public demand, the Los Angeles Zoo is doing a disservice to the public that brings in revenue for the zoo in the first place.
Social animals such as meerkats need interaction with their own species. By keeping Chico as a solitary animal is rather cruel. By not meeting public demand, the Los Angeles Zoo is doing a disservice to the public that brings in revenue for the zoo in the first place.
# 3,816:
7:56 am PST, Feb 23,
Paulette Smyte, New York
I am deeply concerned that Chico has not been given any companions, though his one and only 'friend' died over a year ago! It is truly an outrage that any zoo would be so neglectful of the basic needs of one of their animals in an exhibit.
I am deeply concerned that Chico has not been given any companions, though his one and only 'friend' died over a year ago! It is truly an outrage that any zoo would be so neglectful of the basic needs of one of their animals in an exhibit.
# 3,815:
5:04 am PST, Feb 23,
Jessica Reigelman, New York
# 3,814:
3:55 pm PST, Feb 22,
Rebecca Reigelman, New York
I was appauled by the video on how the LA zoo has let Chico's living-quarters go! They refuse to give the poor animal, who in the wild live in groups, another roommate! How in the world they can keep him in an "exhibit", so they call it, is beyond me and I hope they shape up before someone above them comes in a takes him away from their zoo. He needs to have another meerkat living with him in a CLEAN environment!
I was appauled by the video on how the LA zoo has let Chico's living-quarters go! They refuse to give the poor animal, who in the wild live in groups, another roommate! How in the world they can keep him in an "exhibit", so they call it, is beyond me and I hope they shape up before someone above them comes in a takes him away from their zoo. He needs to have another meerkat living with him in a CLEAN environment!
# 3,813:
5:46 am PST, Feb 20,
Cher Clarke, Canada
# 3,812:
9:54 pm PST, Feb 18,
S Frame, Illinois
# 3,811:
2:16 pm PST, Feb 17,
Zowie Jones, Canada
Poor Guy, If You'd Watch Things Like Meerkat Manor, You'd Know How Social They Are! They Aren't Creatures That Should Be Alone.
Poor Guy, If You'd Watch Things Like Meerkat Manor, You'd Know How Social They Are! They Aren't Creatures That Should Be Alone.
# 3,810:
7:19 pm PST, Feb 16,
Name not displayed, Canada
Please give Chico a friend.
Please give Chico a friend.
# 3,809:
7:17 pm PST, Feb 16,
Caroline Hendry, Canada
I find the treatment of this sentient creature appalling. He deserves to live in an environment where he can mimic his natural behaviors. Please treat him with the respect he deserves.
I find the treatment of this sentient creature appalling. He deserves to live in an environment where he can mimic his natural behaviors. Please treat him with the respect he deserves.
# 3,808:
11:32 am PST, Feb 14,
Jelena Zaric, Serbia And Montenegro
# 3,807:
6:37 pm PST, Feb 12,
Amanda Krantz, Indiana
# 3,806:
10:25 pm PST, Feb 11,
Name not displayed, Hawaii
We had a similar situation at our zoo in Honolulu. Kapa lost his brother Hulu. He mysteriously disappeared one night (we all know he was stolen but no one wants to say it out loud) and Kapa was left all alone. He was really sad. He died a few months later. Many of us agree he died of a broken heart. He was definately lonesome. He spent his days "looking" for his brother as Hulu was the food gatherer. Please get Chico a family or allow him to go to one.
We had a similar situation at our zoo in Honolulu. Kapa lost his brother Hulu. He mysteriously disappeared one night (we all know he was stolen but no one wants to say it out loud) and Kapa was left all alone. He was really sad. He died a few months later. Many of us agree he died of a broken heart. He was definately lonesome. He spent his days "looking" for his brother as Hulu was the food gatherer. Please get Chico a family or allow him to go to one.
# 3,805:
11:58 am PST, Feb 7,
Senchal Hatton, California
Animals that are a group based species like Meerkats, need companionship. Animals that are isolated like him can become emotionally damaged and depressed. Please get him a mate, or move him to a group!
Animals that are a group based species like Meerkats, need companionship. Animals that are isolated like him can become emotionally damaged and depressed. Please get him a mate, or move him to a group!
# 3,804:
2:09 pm PST, Feb 5,
Jozon Florence, France
Help Chico
Help Chico
# 3,803:
1:34 pm PST, Feb 5,
SAUVET Danièle, France
# 3,802:
6:52 pm PST, Feb 4,
Oriana Nudo, California
# 3,801:
6:35 pm PST, Feb 4,
Name not displayed, California
# 3,800:
6:11 pm PST, Feb 4,
Michael Larson, California
It's irresponsible to make him a solitary creature. If you can't care for animals the right way by recreating their habitat, then don't remove them from their habitat.
It's irresponsible to make him a solitary creature. If you can't care for animals the right way by recreating their habitat, then don't remove them from their habitat.
# 3,799:
1:47 pm PST, Feb 4,
Name not displayed, California
everyone needs friends!!!!! ESPECIALLY meerkats!!!! its so sad!
everyone needs friends!!!!! ESPECIALLY meerkats!!!! its so sad!
# 3,798:
2:17 pm PST, Feb 3,
SYLVIA STOJKOVIC, France
# 3,797:
7:44 am PST, Jan 30,
Lisa Lewis, North Carolina
# 3,796:
4:18 pm PST, Jan 28,
Faye Andrews, North Carolina
# 3,795:
2:29 pm PST, Jan 27,
Colleen Fallon, Massachusetts
What a horrible thing to do to an animal! LA Zoo, you should be ashamed!
What a horrible thing to do to an animal! LA Zoo, you should be ashamed!
# 3,794:
4:13 pm PST, Jan 25,
Petra Saul, California
The time has come for Chico to get his buddy. When will the L.A. Zoo do the right thing? Get some more too while you're at it so this does not happen again. Thank you
The time has come for Chico to get his buddy. When will the L.A. Zoo do the right thing? Get some more too while you're at it so this does not happen again. Thank you
# 3,793:
8:47 am PST, Jan 23,
Susie Davis, California
Get Chico a friend soon. He will die of loneliness. This is a no brainer people!
Get Chico a friend soon. He will die of loneliness. This is a no brainer people!
# 3,792:
5:04 pm PST, Jan 21,
Donald Andrews, California
Many zoos have meerkats. Get one for this meerkat and you will probably have more people coming to your zoo. Chico is not just an animal that you can just show off. He is a living breathing animal who deserves to be happy and living alone is not a happy existence. You should all know this and should know better than this.
Many zoos have meerkats. Get one for this meerkat and you will probably have more people coming to your zoo. Chico is not just an animal that you can just show off. He is a living breathing animal who deserves to be happy and living alone is not a happy existence. You should all know this and should know better than this.
# 3,791:
4:53 pm PST, Jan 20,
Dan Severs, California
Over a year and Chico is still alone? What gives here? I know of many zoos that have many meerkats yet Chico is still alone. Are you trying to kill this poor animal from loneliness? Come on. The l.a. zoo has so many problems. This could be easily resolved. Get going.
Over a year and Chico is still alone? What gives here? I know of many zoos that have many meerkats yet Chico is still alone. Are you trying to kill this poor animal from loneliness? Come on. The l.a. zoo has so many problems. This could be easily resolved. Get going.
# 3,790:
10:35 pm PST, Jan 19,
Melissa Jimenez, Texas
How can this Zoo operate knowing full well that the Meerkate needs a companion or more? How can management let this go on for so long? A year? That's ridiculous. If the Zoo cannot afford to get Chico what he needs, than transfer him to a Zoo that has other Meerkats. Are you willing to risk him dying from pure loneliness? This is pretty sad.
How can this Zoo operate knowing full well that the Meerkate needs a companion or more? How can management let this go on for so long? A year? That's ridiculous. If the Zoo cannot afford to get Chico what he needs, than transfer him to a Zoo that has other Meerkats. Are you willing to risk him dying from pure loneliness? This is pretty sad.
# 3,789:
4:00 pm PST, Jan 19,
Mike Aamold, Texas
# 3,788:
3:21 pm PST, Jan 19,
Robin Borchers, Arizona
I set up & sponsor a captive meerkat conservation site on facebook & it is linked to fellowearthlings.org in California. Please consider Chico as a candidate for relocation to Fellow Earthling's Wildlife Center -- go to fellowearthlings.org to check out details & contact -- all you need to know is there. Chico living alone is simply unacceptable, at best, deplorable, perhaps. Thank you.
I set up & sponsor a captive meerkat conservation site on facebook & it is linked to fellowearthlings.org in California. Please consider Chico as a candidate for relocation to Fellow Earthling's Wildlife Center -- go to fellowearthlings.org to check out details & contact -- all you need to know is there. Chico living alone is simply unacceptable, at best, deplorable, perhaps. Thank you.
# 3,787:
2:00 pm PST, Jan 19,
Kitty Halverson, California
# 3,786:
8:40 pm PST, Jan 17,
Joel Merced, California
Come on L.A. Zoo. What is taking so long? You guys are dragging your feet and this meerkat is going to die of loneliness. How sad. And shame on all of you. You should know better than to keep a social animal alone. What idiots and pathetic people you are to do this. This is an exhibit that needs more meerkats. They are cute and fun to watch and they need companionship. Get going on this!!!
Come on L.A. Zoo. What is taking so long? You guys are dragging your feet and this meerkat is going to die of loneliness. How sad. And shame on all of you. You should know better than to keep a social animal alone. What idiots and pathetic people you are to do this. This is an exhibit that needs more meerkats. They are cute and fun to watch and they need companionship. Get going on this!!!
# 3,785:
5:53 pm PST, Jan 16,
Samantha Loggins, California
# 3,784:
5:19 pm PST, Jan 15,
Craig Lewis, California
Please please get this meerkat a friend. Each and every person needs someone and Chico is no different. It has been a year now? What is wrong with a zoo that does this to their animals? I heard on the news the other day that the elephant exhibit is smaller at San Diego zoo, yet they have NO issues like the Los Angeles Zoo. I wonder why. I'll bet it is the management or lack of. Stop going to work for just a paycheck and start going to work and help your animals. The public sees it and all people around the world see this and hear it too. Shame on the L.A. Zoo for their lack of treatment for their animals. You should be very ashamed of yourselves.
Please please get this meerkat a friend. Each and every person needs someone and Chico is no different. It has been a year now? What is wrong with a zoo that does this to their animals? I heard on the news the other day that the elephant exhibit is smaller at San Diego zoo, yet they have NO issues like the Los Angeles Zoo. I wonder why. I'll bet it is the management or lack of. Stop going to work for just a paycheck and start going to work and help your animals. The public sees it and all people around the world see this and hear it too. Shame on the L.A. Zoo for their lack of treatment for their animals. You should be very ashamed of yourselves.
# 3,783:
6:05 pm PST, Jan 14,
Darlene Wagner, Texas
PLEASE TREAT CHICO WITH BETTER T.L.C. HE DOESNT DESRVE TOO BE ALONE DO YOU? PUT YOURSLF IN THIS LONE MEERKATS PLACE AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!
PLEASE TREAT CHICO WITH BETTER T.L.C. HE DOESNT DESRVE TOO BE ALONE DO YOU? PUT YOURSLF IN THIS LONE MEERKATS PLACE AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!
# 3,782:
2:45 pm PST, Jan 14,
Pat Durbin, California
Save Chico. Help Chico. Get Chico a buddy. It is time and he will die of loneliness if you do not get him a friend. Please help him.
Save Chico. Help Chico. Get Chico a buddy. It is time and he will die of loneliness if you do not get him a friend. Please help him.
# 3,781:
9:12 pm PST, Jan 13,
Alexandra Zarkadas, Arizona
# 3,780:
4:26 pm PST, Jan 12,
Adam Suarez, California
It is now 2009. Time for a buddy to be with this sweet meerkat. It is time. Does anyone know when another meerkat will be given to the L.A. Zoo?
It is now 2009. Time for a buddy to be with this sweet meerkat. It is time. Does anyone know when another meerkat will be given to the L.A. Zoo?
# 3,779:
2:08 pm PST, Jan 11,
Karen Lourey, California
# 3,778:
12:48 pm PST, Jan 11,
Zara Ivanova, Bulgaria
# 3,777:
10:48 am PST, Jan 10,
Joyce Gilliam, California
# 3,776:
8:04 am PST, Jan 10,
Kirk Barrett, United Kingdom
# 3,775:
5:57 pm PST, Jan 9,
Sara Zachery, California
When is Chico getting a buddy? It has been a year now and I think if he does not get a buddy soon then they should transfer him to a zoo that cares for lone meerkats and put him with a friend so they can be happy for the rest of their lives. Thank You, Sara
When is Chico getting a buddy? It has been a year now and I think if he does not get a buddy soon then they should transfer him to a zoo that cares for lone meerkats and put him with a friend so they can be happy for the rest of their lives. Thank You, Sara
# 3,774:
10:34 pm PST, Jan 7,
Dallas Malloy, California
It's simply cruel, Chico is a social animal and NEEDS companionship for survival. If he is going to be locked up for the entertainment of humans, at the very least he should be able to be happy and live in as natural of an environment as possible--with companions.
It's simply cruel, Chico is a social animal and NEEDS companionship for survival. If he is going to be locked up for the entertainment of humans, at the very least he should be able to be happy and live in as natural of an environment as possible--with companions.
# 3,773:
6:08 pm PST, Jan 6,
Kimberly Curtis, California
When is this Meerkat going to receive a friend? Please do the right thing here and either get him a buddy or transfer him to another zoo.
When is this Meerkat going to receive a friend? Please do the right thing here and either get him a buddy or transfer him to another zoo.
# 3,772:
4:41 pm PST, Jan 5,
Peter Sulley, California
All animals need companionship and Chico is no different. Please help him get a buddy, NOW!
All animals need companionship and Chico is no different. Please help him get a buddy, NOW!
# 3,771:
5:19 pm PST, Jan 3,
Bella Soundgarten, California
Don't you think that one year is long enough for this poor little fella to be alone? It would be interesting to see how long zoo keepers and other workers at the zoo would be able to be all alone each day. This is pathetic to say the least.
Don't you think that one year is long enough for this poor little fella to be alone? It would be interesting to see how long zoo keepers and other workers at the zoo would be able to be all alone each day. This is pathetic to say the least.
# 3,770:
4:33 am PST, Jan 2,
Name not displayed, Australia
Chico is not a museum artifact he is a wild animal that is social and needs love and respect please get him a friend the poor thing will die if no one acts soon!
Chico is not a museum artifact he is a wild animal that is social and needs love and respect please get him a friend the poor thing will die if no one acts soon!
# 3,769:
12:03 pm PST, Jan 1,
Barry Newsome, California
When is this guys new buddy coming to town? How long does he have to wait? Hasn't it already been over a year now? Come on, before he dies he should have a friend don't ya think?
When is this guys new buddy coming to town? How long does he have to wait? Hasn't it already been over a year now? Come on, before he dies he should have a friend don't ya think?
# 3,768:
1:34 pm PST, Dec 31,
Zach Bellows, California
It is the last day in 2008. Let's get a friend for this meerkat as soon as possible. I cannot believe he is still alone.
It is the last day in 2008. Let's get a friend for this meerkat as soon as possible. I cannot believe he is still alone.
# 3,767:
5:36 pm PST, Dec 30,
Ann Smith, California
I hope the new year brings a friend for Chico. It has been long enough as this petition says it was a year that his burrowmate died. How long does it take to get it right?
I hope the new year brings a friend for Chico. It has been long enough as this petition says it was a year that his burrowmate died. How long does it take to get it right?
# 3,766:
4:40 pm PST, Dec 28,
Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 3,765:
3:27 pm PST, Dec 28,
Name not displayed, Virginia
I find it difficult believing that the LA Zoo's small mammal keepers wouldn't know better. Social mammals need to be social for many vital reasons; anything else is not only cruel but should serve as a warning to the zoo's credibility. Zoo's play an important part in educating the public about the conservation and preservation of all animals. A meerkat in solitary confinement shows the LA Zoo perhaps needs a updated mission, updated small mammal keeper and/or updated board. I would think in these hard times that the zoo would want and need to pull in financial contributions; this is a good way to have them pull out.
I find it difficult believing that the LA Zoo's small mammal keepers wouldn't know better. Social mammals need to be social for many vital reasons; anything else is not only cruel but should serve as a warning to the zoo's credibility. Zoo's play an important part in educating the public about the conservation and preservation of all animals. A meerkat in solitary confinement shows the LA Zoo perhaps needs a updated mission, updated small mammal keeper and/or updated board. I would think in these hard times that the zoo would want and need to pull in financial contributions; this is a good way to have them pull out.
# 3,764:
5:54 pm PST, Dec 26,
Tony Bayshore, California
No one should be alone. Especially a social animal. Please get him a buddy.
No one should be alone. Especially a social animal. Please get him a buddy.
# 3,762:
8:31 pm PST, Dec 22,
Karen Young, California
Please get this animal a friend before he dies of loneliness.
Please get this animal a friend before he dies of loneliness.
# 3,761:
9:31 am PST, Dec 21,
Judith Anderson, Maryland
Meerkats are a social group and need companionship; not only for security, but for warmth and grooming. What is happening at the zoo to let Chico stay alone? It appears to be very disturbing to me, especially as he watches above for predators by himself.
Meerkats are a social group and need companionship; not only for security, but for warmth and grooming. What is happening at the zoo to let Chico stay alone? It appears to be very disturbing to me, especially as he watches above for predators by himself.
# 3,760:
8:45 am PST, Dec 21,
Pamela Carlock, South Carolina
No animal should live a solitary exhistense unless that is the norm ! Even people need companions help this guy ouit or give him to another zoo that knows and has them ! Merry Christmas CHICO
No animal should live a solitary exhistense unless that is the norm ! Even people need companions help this guy ouit or give him to another zoo that knows and has them ! Merry Christmas CHICO
# 3,759:
7:28 pm PST, Dec 19,
Taylor Hanson, California
Everyone needs companionship. It is only right that this animal gets a friend.
Everyone needs companionship. It is only right that this animal gets a friend.
# 3,758:
4:20 am PST, Dec 18,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
this is not a natural thing for chico to be alone and therefore he can not express natural behaviour so he should have a new friend or friends to allow him to express natural behaviour.
this is not a natural thing for chico to be alone and therefore he can not express natural behaviour so he should have a new friend or friends to allow him to express natural behaviour.
# 3,757:
4:48 am PST, Dec 17,
Jane Walbridge, Connecticut
Chico deserves to live in a community and not in solitairy confinement. Please do you job and meet his needs by either getting more meerkats or sending him to a zoo that has a colony.
Chico deserves to live in a community and not in solitairy confinement. Please do you job and meet his needs by either getting more meerkats or sending him to a zoo that has a colony.
# 3,756:
6:19 pm PST, Dec 16,
Name not displayed, Oklahoma
Chico or any Meerkat should not live alone in captivity. A city the size of LA this does not set a very good example. We have 10 Meerkats in the OKC zoo and I'm sure we would welcome Chino should you not find him a friend.
Chico or any Meerkat should not live alone in captivity. A city the size of LA this does not set a very good example. We have 10 Meerkats in the OKC zoo and I'm sure we would welcome Chino should you not find him a friend.
# 3,755:
9:17 am PST, Dec 16,
Ashley Calderon, California
Meerkats are very social creatures and need companions.
Meerkats are very social creatures and need companions.
# 3,754:
7:07 am PST, Dec 16,
Kelly Hill, Connecticut
Meerkats are highly social animals -- they live in families, and for one to be alone is worse than death. Please bring Chico a new friend or transfer him to a facility that has a colony of meerkats, and prove you care about your animals as living beings, not just as attractions and commodities.
Meerkats are highly social animals -- they live in families, and for one to be alone is worse than death. Please bring Chico a new friend or transfer him to a facility that has a colony of meerkats, and prove you care about your animals as living beings, not just as attractions and commodities.
# 3,753:
3:04 am PST, Dec 16,
Abigail Rafferty, Connecticut
If you are going to keep animals you must provide for ALL their needs. Surviving doesn't mean that he's happy.
If you are going to keep animals you must provide for ALL their needs. Surviving doesn't mean that he's happy.
# 3,752:
3:17 pm PST, Dec 15,
Jaye Lum, Pennsylvania
meerkats live in family group, they should live alone
meerkats live in family group, they should live alone
# 3,751:
7:54 pm PST, Dec 14,
C Johnson, Colorado
Please take proper care of Chico by transfering him to a facility where he will be able to spend the rest of his life in a meerkat group and have the proper diet for a meerkat! I find it hard to believe you aren't aware of the Animal Planet show "Meerkat Manor" or the Friends of the Kalahari Meerkat Project website; both talk about the physical & emotional needs of meerkats. At this time - it doesn't seem as thought you/your organization don't have the physical & emotional welfare of Chico as your priority - and shouln't that be your #1 concern for him?? Thanks for your time & consideration - I believe that you'll re-consider Chico's situation.
Please take proper care of Chico by transfering him to a facility where he will be able to spend the rest of his life in a meerkat group and have the proper diet for a meerkat! I find it hard to believe you aren't aware of the Animal Planet show "Meerkat Manor" or the Friends of the Kalahari Meerkat Project website; both talk about the physical & emotional needs of meerkats. At this time - it doesn't seem as thought you/your organization don't have the physical & emotional welfare of Chico as your priority - and shouln't that be your #1 concern for him?? Thanks for your time & consideration - I believe that you'll re-consider Chico's situation.
