R.I.P. Flower

First Carlos, now Flower.

Perhaps not all of you have been following the adventures of the Whiskers mob on Discovery Channel's Meerkat Manor, but those who have must be as sad as I am at the loss of Flower. The matriarch of the enormous Whiskers mob, a strong leader and a devoted mother, Flower's loss will be a huge turning point for her family group.

There are critics who say the show anthropomorphizes the meerkats too much. No doubt there is a lot of that happening for the tv show, but at the same time, the documentary aspect stands. Imagine what must go on when the cameras aren't rolling in exactly right location; what must happen off-camera that the editors never get to see and use to enhance the drama of an already very dramatic life? Just look at the Whiskers' pups, Len and Squiggy (who had a deformed leg), both lost to life in the Kalahari, and Axle (rescued by Mitch, adopted by Flower, unbelievably, when he was left behind by the Zappa mob).

Flower has been the biggest star of the show since its inception. She died trying to save her latest litter from a cobra, and received a fatal bite on the face for her efforts. She will be missed by more than the Whiskers could ever imagine. There is a pretty good synoposis of the show and the meerkat families at Wikipedia, for those who might want to catch up.

The world would be a better place if we all lived by the Meerkat Motto:

Respect the Elders, Teach the Young,
Cooperate with the Family.
Play when you can, Work when you should
Rest In Between.
Share your Affection, Voice your Feelings,
Leave your Mark.