The built-in amazing duty roster of meerkats — she has taken over 40,000 photos and 8,000 videos

▲Once believing money was all that mattered, her perspective on love and life values took a sharp turn because of these tiny creatures. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling / published by Times Publishing)

Reported by Lin Yuying / Interview and reporting

“Meerkat Mom” Wen Fangling was once a high-powered career woman, used to being picked up in imported cars, always flying business class, and refusing to stay in anything less than five-star hotels. She proudly believed that money was the only value in the world. Until her health took a turn for the worse, a video of meerkats pulled her out from the depths of despair. Since then,she personally made five trips to Africa’s deserts, observing meerkats in environments full of danger, taking 45,000 photos and filming over 8,000 videos, and rediscovered the value of “love” from these small creatures. She resolved to spread the family spirit of meerkats to inspire more people.

Wen Fangling said that back then, those glamorous appearances and career achievements could never fill the void of love in her family of origin. It wasn’t until 2006, when she had to start over after her career hit rock bottom and her health also took a turn for the worse, that she battled cancer and at one point lost hope in life. But by chance, she came across a video of an older meerkat brother rescuing his younger brother, which made her feel the abundant vitality of life again. Someone who used to refuse any hotel less than five stars or any flight less than business class resolutely put everything aside, unafraid of the arduous and bumpy journey, and traveled alone to the harsh Kalahari Desert in South Africa, becoming the first Chinese person to enter a meerkat conservation area.

▲Meerkat Mom, who once refused any hotel less than five stars or any flight less than business class, has now been to the harsh Kalahari Desert in South Africa five times for meerkats. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling / published by Times Publishing)

Through her records, we learned that meerkats are very tiny animals living in the barren deserts of South Africa, about 30 cm tall and weighing only 600 to 700 grams; while young meerkats are only 5 to 7 cm tall and weigh less than 100 grams. Yet within these tiny bodies, they prioritize their families, often putting themselves in harm’s way and ready to sacrifice at any time, enabling the whole family to survive in such a harsh environment.

Meerkats are a matrilineal society with a monogamous system and also very family-oriented animals. Every morning when they wake up or in the evening when they return to their burrows, the whole family will definitely gather for hugs and grooming each other, looking adorable and heartwarming.They have a so far uncrackable “built-in amazing duty roster”, where members take turns being babysitters, bodyguards, feeders, cleaners, and trainers. Relying on the power of unity, they overcome the threats of predators and environmental changes.

▲Meerkats are very family-oriented and have a built-in amazing duty roster, with each member performing their own role and prioritizing the family. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling / published by Times Publishing)

Although they are social animals, they are also among the few that can also take on the challenge of solitude. Many of their duties involve “working solo”, such as sentry duty, where they must stand alone at a high point to watch for predators, requiring both bravery and endurance of loneliness.

Wen Fangling once saw the youngest meerkat babysitter, a little girl who was only three months old. One day, after oversleeping, she woke up to find her family had already left. This little meerkat hesitated for a long time before crawling out of the burrow, followed slowly by three meerkat babies who were just over two weeks old.Even though she was frightened and at a loss after being left alone, she immediately took on the role of guardian, protecting her even younger siblings, not daring to leave for a moment.She kept going in and out of the burrow entrance, closely watching the interactions between the researchers and her siblings, occasionally emitting urgent distress calls, calmly waiting for backup to return.

▲No matter how young they are, meerkats will always care for younger members and act as their nannies. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling)

▲Although they are social animals, many times they also have to “work solo”, such as standing guard, where they must be alone at a high point watching for predators, requiring both bravery and endurance of loneliness. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling)

Witnessing all of this firsthand made Meerkat Mom decide to spread their love and spirit. Over the past few years, she has traveled deep into South Africa five times, recording a total of 45,000 photos and over 8,000 videos. She has been invited to speak at many schools and organizations, and recently also published a new book 《Stand Up with Meerkats》, hoping that this love and strength can reach any corner where it is needed, allowing meerkats to inspire more people.

Because of meerkats, her views on life and love have completely changed, and this book is also very special to her. “Because many passages were written during my hospitalization.” From last year to this year, facing the unknown risks of breast cancer, Wen Fangling did not know how many more tomorrows she could expect, so she picked up her pen to write another book. “I’m not a professional writer, and it usually takes a whole year or more to finish a book. Every sentence feels like reliving some journey, taking all my energy to complete.”During treatment, there was a period when she almost couldn’t hold on, but luckily a nurse reminded her of the survival spirit of meerkats, which made her want to live on.

▲Known as “Meerkat Mom”, Wen Fangling has visited campuses many times to share the spirit of meerkats. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling)

▲She has since fallen in love with these small animals living in barren deserts, often finding motivation to live on from them. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling)

▲She hopes this love and strength can be delivered to any corner where it is needed, allowing meerkats to inspire more people. (Photo provided by Wen Fangling / published by Times Publishing)

＊Meerkat Mom will hold a book signing event for 《Stand Up with Meerkats》 on Sunday, June 5th (15:00-17:00) at B2 Fayaque of New Taipei City Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A9 Building Department Store.