That’s essentially the cooperative breeding system of meerkat groups, in which one dominant male and female monopolize the mating and pup-bearing. What helps that female keep her coveted position?

The zoo welcomed four new meerkat pups, two male and two female, born on Feb. 11. Their parents are 2½-year-old mother, Naomi, and the sire, 3-year-old Tebogo, who both arrived at the zoo last ...