Grant McIlrath has been studying the behaviour of wild meerkats in their natural habitat in Africa, and domesticity since 1991. They fascinate him. He knows more about them than anyone else in the world. They are intrinsically a part of his life – they are even responsible for bringing him together with the love of his life.

As a conservationist, Grant was particularly interested to learn about the way meerkats perceive their environment and how they actually learn. In order to accomplish this research on wild meerkats without their behaviour being influenced by his presence, he developed, over a long period of time, unique habituation techniques that enable him to gain the trust of wildlife. Once habituated, these wild animals will only allow him to approach them, or those who use his habituation codes/techniques. The animals are never tamed, but only become tolerant and trust certain people who use the habituation techniques.

He uses special calls, body movements and tactile and olfactory senses to communicate with wildlife. Each species requires special understanding of their unique behaviour, and communication types, so that habituation techniques can be developed accordingly. In this way, the integrity of the wildlife is preserved and the ethical approach to wildlife observation is ensured.

Although crucial to the success of such close observation for research and film, his habituation techniques, although being original intellectual property, have not always been accordingly acknowledged.

In Grant’s opinion, observers of wildlife not using these habituation techniques do so unethically, as they accustom wildlife to human observers, and this allows anybody to approach these animals and if desired, harm them. They in fact tame the animals to allow indiscriminate observation/interaction with people, often without even realising this will happen! If such animals where harmed by people, they would then also lose any trust they had of the researchers. With his habituation techniques, the animals always recognise him, ensuring that, even if they are threatened by other humans, their trust in him is never violated.

Once fully habituated, Grant is able to observe the natural behaviour of wildlife and collect data on them, without them even being disturbed by him. If he was never to work with these habituated animals again, nobody could get near them, unless they had been taught how to use the habituation techniques. The animals remain wild.

He has trained PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in his techniques - primarily required so that unbiased data can be collected on the meerkats normal behaviour patterns and, in the process, has gained both international respect and, the title ‘The Meerkat Man’.

Grant's Contact Details:

Grant Mc llrath

Mobile: 082413 6895
Tel: +27 (0) 44 272 3077
Email: gmmcilrath@mweb.co.za
Website: www.meerkatmagic.com

Postal Address:
The Meerkat Magic Conservation Project
Post Net Suite #82
Private Bag X680
Oudtshoorn 6620
Western Cape
South Africa