This basically means that in order for the adult meerkat to teach the young pups how to hunt - the adults have to be fully aware that the pups stand a better chance being taught how to hunt first, rather than sending them out to fend for themselves like some animal species do.
Adult meerkats first start off by presenting already dead scorpions with the stingers removed, so the pups can get a feel for hunting. Next, the adult meerkat presents the pup with a live scorpion with the stinger removed - so that the pup can fight a live scorpion and learn to kill.
The final step in the training process is for the adult to present the pup with a live scorpion with the stinger still intact. The pup, not recognizing the stinger is fearful of it, and dodges the poisonous stinger before removing it themselves!
Although it would be flattering to say the adult meerkats teach their young for educational purposes - scientists believe that they teach their young out of necessity, rather than for the well being of their young.
