I just watched the repeat broadcast of Meerkat Manor. My guess was correct on all counts. Poor little Carlos. :o(

At least he spread his genetic material far and wide while he was still a roving male, before he started leading a group of his own. Chances are there are little meerkats named Carlos Jr. running around, soon to take their sire's place as the next roving Casanova of the desert.

Like I posted yesterday, Mother Nature is one tough customer. It'd be nice if all animals could thrive, but reality doesn't work like that. Healthy species' birth rates are high enough to allow for the normal levels of attrition of disease and predation, and that's as much leeway as nature will allow. Period.