Pathology and causes of death in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

BACKGROUND: Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are endemic carnivores of southern Africa and, although currently listed as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, there is evidence of a significant decrease in wild populations mainly attributed to effects of climate change. Little is known about diseases associated with mortality in captive meerkats. AIM: To characterise macroscopic and microscopic lesions that accounted for the death or euthanasia in a series of captive meerkats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight captive meerkats submitted for post-mortem examination between 2018 and 2022. RESULTS: Three animals died unexpectedly without clinical signs, 2 exhibited neurological signs, 2 collapsed after con-specific fighting and 1 showed gastrointestinal signs. Common pathological findings of this study that may be related to the death of captive meerkats included foreign bodies (trichobezoars or plastic materials) within the alimentary tract, traumatic penetrating injuries or starvation associated with abnormal social behaviours (bullying and con-specific attacks), verminous pneumonia and systemic atherosclerosis. Common incidental findings included pulmonary edema and congestion, cholesterol granulomas, pulmonary adenomas and vertebral spondylosis. CONCLUSIONS: Non-infectious diseases outreach infectious diseases as causes of mortality in captive meerkats including, foreign bodies within the alimentary tract, con-specific attacks and systemic atherosclerosis, which is described for the first time. These data should raise concern about appropriate husbandry (e.g. environmental enrichment, cleaning of facilities and diet formulation) by zookeepers and emphasise the need for further study of meerkat mortality in both captive and wild populations.