Date Published: March 2011
Assessment Summary
The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a member of the mongoose family (Herpestidae). They are small, omnivorous mammals native to the Southern African subregion and have not been reported as pest species establishing in any other region. As a result, there are no reported consequences of establishment, although the impact on Tasmanian fauna through diet and competition could be significant. Meerkats are considered a 'moderate' threat under the Vertebrate Pest Committee's threat categorisation and are 'controlled animals' under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002. This risk assessment concludes that meerkats are a 'moderate' threat to Tasmania and proposes that imports be restricted to those license holders approved for keeping moderate threat species.
Assessment Documentation
Downloads
Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) (955Kb)