Possible Clues:

• South African carnivore related to the ichneumon
• Southern African mammal that stands sentry
• Ground-squirrel Tom by itself first mentioned
• Timon in "The Lion King"
• Timon of 'The Lion King,' e.g.
• Southern African mongoose
• Wild animal? Only Pussy, we hear
• Aircraftman invested in food for S. African animal
• South African mammal
• Timon of "The Lion King," e.g.