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Meet Swift,
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a tiny meerkat pup.
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00:00:08,580 --> 00:00:12,700
She was born in the Kalahari Desert
in South Africa,
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00:00:12,700 --> 00:00:16,540
a dangerous and challenging world.
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00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:20,380
It's winter, the leanest time
of year.
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00:00:21,780 --> 00:00:24,700
And this year, conditions are more
desperate than ever.
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00:00:24,700 --> 00:00:26,860
The rains have failed.
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00:00:27,540 --> 00:00:31,380
Food is scarce, and Swift is hungry.
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The search for food will force her
family to take more and more risks,
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putting Swift's young life
on the line.
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00:00:41,860 --> 00:00:44,140
Will she find enough to eat?
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00:00:46,260 --> 00:00:48,420
Will she avoid being on the menu
herself?
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00:00:49,700 --> 00:00:51,500
She'll face deadly snakes.
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00:00:52,780 --> 00:00:54,220
Scorpions.
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00:00:55,580 --> 00:00:57,460
And neighbours from hell!
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Her chance of surviving the next
month is just 50 per cent.
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Cameraman Toby Strong spent May 2012
following Swift and her family's
adventures
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00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:13,780
during this make or break time.
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I've got very upset meerkats.
They're running!
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They're going, going, going,
going, going.
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That was a very real danger!
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00:01:23,780 --> 00:01:27,740
To survive, Swift will need
plenty of character.
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And a lot of luck.
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This is Swift's story.
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It's 7.00am in the Kalahari Desert.
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Swift has just woken up.
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She spent the night underground with
her family, called the Whiskers,
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in an extensive burrow.
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00:02:39,780 --> 00:02:43,220
Just after sunrise,
they all start to stir.
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The Whiskers are 25-strong,
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a formidable team.
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00:02:58,660 --> 00:03:01,340
And just like all meerkat groups,
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the boss is female.
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Whiskers' leading lady is Enili,
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instantly recognisable
from her radio collar.
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00:03:12,860 --> 00:03:14,740
Enili's only four years old,
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00:03:14,740 --> 00:03:17,540
but she's the principal
decision maker.
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Every member of this family is
dependent on the choices she makes.
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00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:28,620
Especially Swift...
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..and her brother and two sisters.
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00:03:36,460 --> 00:03:40,660
Good morning, you tiny little
creatures!
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00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:47,060
Cameraman Toby Strong knows
just how fragile these pups are.
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00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:49,500
I forget how tiny they are!
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00:03:52,940 --> 00:03:55,260
At just five weeks old,
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they still only weigh
as much as an apple.
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These pups have only been out of
the burrow about ten days.
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And everything is new.
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Everything's an adventure.
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00:04:11,620 --> 00:04:14,820
Even at their tender age,
they've got their own characters.
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Swift is a courageous little thing.
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00:04:18,380 --> 00:04:19,940
Good morning!
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00:04:20,700 --> 00:04:22,300
Hello, little one!
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00:04:24,180 --> 00:04:25,620
Nice to meet you!
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You let me touch you!
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Of the four pups,
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this one here is the bravest.
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She's always running around,
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on look-out duty.
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She really is a gutsy little fellow.
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00:04:48,180 --> 00:04:51,980
Swift may be brave,
but she's also hungry.
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00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:58,580
She's lost five per cent of her
bodyweight overnight,
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simply keeping warm.
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00:05:00,340 --> 00:05:02,420
She urgently needs food.
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00:05:05,740 --> 00:05:08,940
She's still suckling, but she needs
more substantial meals.
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00:05:14,020 --> 00:05:18,780
With the rains failing, it'll be
a real challenge for Enili
to find enough food
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00:05:18,780 --> 00:05:21,260
to keep Swift and the other pups
alive.
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00:05:23,540 --> 00:05:28,740
It's about 50/50 that a meerkat pup
will make it to two months old.
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00:05:33,220 --> 00:05:36,700
It's quite a sad thought, but
the chances are we'll lose
two of these pups.
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Take care, little one!
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Enili leads the family off
into the desert.
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00:05:53,340 --> 00:05:55,060
It's the start of another long day.
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With food so scarce, she'll have
to take risks to keep this growing
family fed.
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00:06:05,580 --> 00:06:08,620
It's hard work for Swift's
little legs,
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00:06:08,620 --> 00:06:12,500
but she's got to stick close to
the adults or she won't get a meal.
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00:06:12,500 --> 00:06:17,420
And every step takes her further
away from the safety of the burrow.
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00:06:27,900 --> 00:06:31,340
Being out in the open is dangerous
when you're so small.
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Meerkat pups are top of the menu
for many predators.
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Especially martial eagles.
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Some of the subordinate males
stand watch
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so Swift and the others can get
their heads down and feed.
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Swift's cousin Emesto
takes his turn.
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00:07:01,420 --> 00:07:04,620
His dark eye patches act like
sunglasses,
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00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:06,220
reducing the glare.
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00:07:07,500 --> 00:07:10,940
And his eyesight is keen enough to
spot an eagle literally miles away.
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00:07:13,420 --> 00:07:18,020
All the time he's on watch,
Emesto sings what's called
the watchman's song.
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CHATTERING
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As long as he keeps singing,
the group feeding below know
the coast is clear.
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Almost everything a meerkat eats
is underground.
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00:07:40,420 --> 00:07:44,300
They use their exceptional sense
of smell to sniff out a snack.
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00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:46,900
Then it's just a matter of
digging it out.
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00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:53,500
The adults are like mini excavators.
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00:07:53,500 --> 00:07:55,660
Their big claws
and powerful forearms
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mean they can shift their own
bodyweight of sand in seconds.
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00:07:59,700 --> 00:08:04,340
But Swift doesn't yet have
the strength or skill to do this
for herself.
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00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:07,860
She's utterly reliant on the adults
for food.
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00:08:07,860 --> 00:08:11,180
But first, she has to get
their attention.
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00:08:16,420 --> 00:08:18,980
Meerkat pups beg constantly.
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CRIES OUT
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The louder and more frequently
they call,
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00:08:23,700 --> 00:08:25,500
the better their chance of a meal.
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00:08:29,820 --> 00:08:33,420
But with four pups begging,
there's intense competition.
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They might be brothers and sisters,
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but when it comes to food,
it's every pup for themselves.
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Swift has to fight her corner.
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00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:54,940
And stick close to a grown-up.
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00:09:05,620 --> 00:09:07,860
The hard work finally pays off.
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00:09:12,420 --> 00:09:15,420
But this meal is a sure sign
that conditions are tough.
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00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:19,340
It's a chongololo,
or giant millipede.
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00:09:19,340 --> 00:09:22,980
Its skin is packed with
foul-tasting toxins.
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Swift learns to drag it through the
sand to remove the noxious coating.
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Meerkats only bother with
such a bitter meal
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00:09:34,780 --> 00:09:36,580
when food is scarce.
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Swift needs all the food
she can get.
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00:09:47,700 --> 00:09:50,380
But eating can be
dangerously distracting.
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DISTRESS CALLS
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Something's been spotted.
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Swift has to get back to the group.
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There's safety in numbers.
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Everyone comes.
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00:10:13,980 --> 00:10:18,220
Everyone's up, all these eyes.
Everyone's up, keeping an eye out.
What is it, where is it?
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00:10:19,780 --> 00:10:23,180
Swift and the other pups are
as nervous as the adults.
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00:10:27,780 --> 00:10:29,420
But it's a false alarm.
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00:10:29,420 --> 00:10:32,380
Vultures are scavengers,
not hunters.
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They're harmless.
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00:10:41,780 --> 00:10:43,540
It's a valuable lesson.
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00:10:43,540 --> 00:10:47,020
But all the excitement has been
too much for tiny Swift.
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Falling asleep...
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on his little sister!
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00:11:22,020 --> 00:11:24,220
It's the hottest part of the day.
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00:11:29,140 --> 00:11:30,740
After this morning's events,
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00:11:30,740 --> 00:11:32,900
the Whiskers enjoy
some chill-out time.
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00:11:46,820 --> 00:11:49,300
It's funny. After an alarm call,
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everyone gets quite frisky
and playful. Look at that.
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00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:57,140
There's a sense of release,
release of tension.
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00:12:01,380 --> 00:12:04,460
Cat-nap over,
and Swift joins in too.
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TOBY LAUGHS
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Bent double!
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00:12:15,860 --> 00:12:18,140
It seems the pups have got their
courage back.
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00:12:19,300 --> 00:12:22,340
This fluffy bit's the microphone,
see?
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00:12:25,820 --> 00:12:28,220
Looks like Toby's been accepted
as part of the clan!
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00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:33,620
Stay.
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00:12:33,620 --> 00:12:37,580
These are all wild animals. So how
on earth can Toby get so close
to them?
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00:12:40,820 --> 00:12:42,580
It's all down to science.
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00:12:50,180 --> 00:12:55,260
The meerkats here have been studied
for over two decades.
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00:12:55,260 --> 00:12:58,620
Which means they're completely
habituated to humans.
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00:12:59,700 --> 00:13:02,980
Researchers have meticulously
charted every aspect
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00:13:02,980 --> 00:13:05,220
of these meerkats' lives.
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00:13:05,220 --> 00:13:08,380
Slowly but surely the meerkats
have got used to humans.
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00:13:10,100 --> 00:13:12,340
So the film crew are pretty much
ignored,
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00:13:12,340 --> 00:13:15,540
allowing them to get within touching
distance of the animals.
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They're just part of the landscape!
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I'm so envious of these two pups.
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Oh!
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00:13:25,220 --> 00:13:27,620
And a cameraman makes
the perfect lookout post!
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00:13:28,460 --> 00:13:33,860
I've been lucky enough to film with
elephants, gorillas, bears,
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00:13:33,860 --> 00:13:36,300
and none of them have ever
sat on my head!
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00:13:37,940 --> 00:13:39,540
I guess that's a good thing!
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00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:51,460
The Whiskers family can never rest
for long.
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00:13:52,660 --> 00:13:55,620
These lean animals can't store much
body fat.
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They need to eat every day
to stay in good condition.
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00:14:01,220 --> 00:14:03,100
And with four extra mouths to feed,
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there's added pressure
to keep foraging.
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SWIFT CRIES OUT
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But Swift's calls are going
unanswered.
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The adults are only finding
the odd morsel,
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00:14:13,740 --> 00:14:15,980
and they're taking those
for themselves.
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00:14:20,220 --> 00:14:23,140
A hungry pup will soon struggle.
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00:14:27,860 --> 00:14:29,700
Enili must keep moving on.
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00:14:35,420 --> 00:14:37,180
But the further they travel
from home,
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the greater the risks.
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This is the home to our meerkats.
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Behind me are these lovely dunes
that mark the northern edge
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that drop down to the plains.
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00:14:57,460 --> 00:15:00,820
And that's the centre of
the Whiskers' group world.
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00:15:02,620 --> 00:15:06,340
One of the main dangers for meerkats
is other groups,
and they're surrounded.
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00:15:06,340 --> 00:15:08,340
You've got the Kung Fu group here,
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you've got Ewoks,
you've got Toyota group
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and Sequoia group up here.
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00:15:12,660 --> 00:15:15,740
Another great danger is the road.
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00:15:15,740 --> 00:15:17,820
A road bisects their territory.
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00:15:24,580 --> 00:15:28,580
Today, Enili has made a decision
that puts the Whiskers
into real danger.
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They've reached the road.
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There could be better pickings
on the other side,
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but meerkats are not blessed with
much road sense.
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Especially the pups.
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Meerkats are crossing, which is
really dangerous, because they get
hit by cars every year.
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00:15:52,180 --> 00:15:54,780
You can't really underestimate
how dangerous this road is.
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They'll lose about ten meerkats
a year on it.
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00:15:58,900 --> 00:16:03,060
When I was here, about a month ago,
with a group that were crossing
every single day,
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00:16:03,060 --> 00:16:05,420
there were three in one week.
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Enili pushes the group on.
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00:16:15,140 --> 00:16:16,940
What are you doing?
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With the family safely across,
Swift has no choice.
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00:16:33,220 --> 00:16:35,620
She must stick with the others
if she's going to get a meal.
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00:16:59,140 --> 00:17:01,820
It looks like Enili's made
the right decision.
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00:17:01,820 --> 00:17:04,420
There's plenty of food here.
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00:17:10,420 --> 00:17:14,140
And Swift is in prime position
to make the most of it.
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00:17:16,100 --> 00:17:19,740
I can see 12, 14 adults
foraging around.
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00:17:19,740 --> 00:17:22,780
When they find a grub
and want to feed a pup,
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00:17:22,780 --> 00:17:25,020
they listen. Who are they going
to hear? Swift.
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Right in the middle.
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00:17:26,780 --> 00:17:29,660
She's the loudest
and most insistent.
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00:17:31,700 --> 00:17:33,260
All the food comes to her.
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00:17:40,140 --> 00:17:44,220
She's had six fat larvae in what,
five minutes?
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00:17:57,780 --> 00:18:00,540
The Whiskers have found enough food
to go round.
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00:18:00,540 --> 00:18:03,140
But they've also left themselves
exposed.
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00:18:03,140 --> 00:18:06,980
This is the territory of
a neighbouring meerkat family.
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00:18:06,980 --> 00:18:10,740
Whilst Swift is blissfully unaware
of the dangers,
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00:18:10,740 --> 00:18:13,180
some of the adults
are on high alert.
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00:18:16,300 --> 00:18:19,100
They know if they get caught raiding
their rivals' larder,
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00:18:19,100 --> 00:18:21,620
the results could be devastating.
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00:18:24,940 --> 00:18:27,940
The Whiskers' worst enemies
are rival meerkat families.
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00:18:30,220 --> 00:18:33,380
Resources are limited, and they're
worth fighting for.
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00:18:33,380 --> 00:18:36,100
Meerkats are very territorial.
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00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:38,500
They'll defend their patch
with their lives.
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00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:44,020
The drought has forced the Whiskers
ever further from home.
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00:18:44,020 --> 00:18:45,980
The enemy could spot them
at any time,
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00:18:45,980 --> 00:18:48,900
putting Swift seriously at risk.
219
00:18:51,140 --> 00:18:55,620
We're in another two groups'
territories.
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00:18:55,620 --> 00:19:01,100
About a month ago,
they killed one of the pups.
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00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:05,380
So if those two groups meet,
there will be a full-on fight.
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00:19:05,380 --> 00:19:08,820
And the chances are we could easily
lose a pup.
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00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:18,300
The Whiskers don't have much choice.
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00:19:19,820 --> 00:19:22,820
This is where the food is.
They have to take the risk.
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00:19:22,820 --> 00:19:26,460
While some keep watch, the rest get
their heads down.
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00:19:33,180 --> 00:19:34,820
But has Enili pushed her luck
too far?
227
00:19:38,180 --> 00:19:39,900
It's tough going.
228
00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:43,540
Lack of rain has driven the grubs
and larvae the meerkats eat
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00:19:43,540 --> 00:19:47,780
deep underground, forcing the
Whiskers to work for every morsel.
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00:19:47,780 --> 00:19:50,860
And catching your meal
is just the start.
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00:19:53,260 --> 00:19:55,300
You'd better get it down quickly
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00:19:55,300 --> 00:19:57,140
or someone will steal it.
233
00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:03,820
In this tough environment,
no-one can be trusted.
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00:20:14,220 --> 00:20:17,420
This feathered thief has learned
that a group of hungry meerkats
235
00:20:17,420 --> 00:20:19,460
are well worth following.
236
00:20:23,740 --> 00:20:27,460
A naive pup like Swift
is the perfect target.
237
00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:30,660
She hasn't seen what this bird
can do yet.
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00:20:52,580 --> 00:20:54,900
Swift gets given an enormous larva.
239
00:20:55,820 --> 00:20:58,660
Exactly what this bird has been
waiting for.
240
00:21:10,100 --> 00:21:14,180
She might be little, but Swift's not
going to give up such a valuable
prize without a fight.
241
00:21:17,140 --> 00:21:19,540
It's a welcome meal for her.
242
00:21:22,660 --> 00:21:26,700
Perhaps this bird would be wiser to
choose an easier target next time.
243
00:21:30,180 --> 00:21:34,820
Swift has learned another important
lesson about who's who
in the Kalahari.
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00:21:41,180 --> 00:21:44,420
Enili and the other adults are doing
their best to look after the pups.
245
00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:46,900
But this support won't last
for ever.
246
00:21:46,900 --> 00:21:50,940
In a month or so, Swift will have
to fend for herself.
247
00:21:52,020 --> 00:21:53,860
That takes practice.
248
00:21:55,980 --> 00:21:59,700
She hones her digging skills
by mimicking the adults.
249
00:22:03,660 --> 00:22:05,900
So far without success.
250
00:22:10,220 --> 00:22:14,340
To work out where to dig, she must
use her phenomenal sense of smell.
251
00:22:19,820 --> 00:22:23,220
Swift's nose will become one of her
greatest assets.
252
00:22:24,180 --> 00:22:25,820
And not just for finding food.
253
00:22:29,820 --> 00:22:31,700
It will be her guide
through this desert,
254
00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:35,980
helping her decipher all sorts of
messages hidden in the landscape.
255
00:22:43,940 --> 00:22:47,140
To a meerkat, every scent
tells a story
256
00:22:47,140 --> 00:22:51,220
of who's been where and when.
257
00:22:57,500 --> 00:23:00,260
They're spooked by something.
258
00:23:00,260 --> 00:23:01,980
Could be a snake.
259
00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:04,420
Could be their terrestrial predator.
260
00:23:04,420 --> 00:23:07,740
It could have been a jackal,
a caracal, perhaps.
261
00:23:08,860 --> 00:23:11,740
Or a genet slept here last night.
262
00:23:13,380 --> 00:23:16,780
I've got Swift and two of the other
pups right in there,
263
00:23:16,780 --> 00:23:19,820
sniffing away, searching away.
264
00:23:19,820 --> 00:23:22,460
It could also be other meerkats.
265
00:23:23,740 --> 00:23:25,940
But we are in another group's
territory.
266
00:23:25,940 --> 00:23:28,340
A group called Toyota.
267
00:23:29,420 --> 00:23:32,660
Each meerkat family has its own
unique scent.
268
00:23:32,660 --> 00:23:36,300
The Whiskers have caught wind
of the resident gang.
269
00:23:36,300 --> 00:23:40,780
This general area,
there's a real awareness.
270
00:23:42,180 --> 00:23:44,500
Tails up.
271
00:23:46,380 --> 00:23:48,900
I've got very upset meerkats.
They're running.
272
00:23:55,780 --> 00:23:57,420
What have they seen?
273
00:24:01,060 --> 00:24:02,700
They're looking on the ground.
274
00:24:03,820 --> 00:24:06,780
I think it's other meerkats. I think
they've spotted another group.
275
00:24:08,660 --> 00:24:10,380
Everyone's on high alert.
276
00:24:11,420 --> 00:24:13,900
Enili has a big decision to make.
277
00:24:15,300 --> 00:24:17,140
Flee to keep the pups safe...
278
00:24:19,820 --> 00:24:23,420
..or fight, and potentially increase
the size of their territory.
279
00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:30,100
It's a huge gamble.
280
00:24:31,540 --> 00:24:33,820
Whiskers are here with four pups.
281
00:24:33,820 --> 00:24:36,780
Toyota have some big males
in their group.
282
00:24:36,780 --> 00:24:39,060
If they get hold of our pups,
they will kill them.
283
00:24:41,700 --> 00:24:43,340
Decision made.
284
00:24:43,340 --> 00:24:45,340
They're war dancing.
285
00:24:46,740 --> 00:24:48,260
This is serious.
286
00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:54,100
Where are they going?
I can't see any others.
287
00:24:54,100 --> 00:24:55,940
Whiskers are advancing.
288
00:24:55,940 --> 00:24:59,700
They're taking the fight to the
other group, which I can't see yet.
289
00:25:00,620 --> 00:25:03,020
I can't see the pups.
Here come the pups now.
290
00:25:04,660 --> 00:25:06,220
In they come.
291
00:25:06,220 --> 00:25:08,500
Bring the pups up.
Everyone re-group.
292
00:25:13,020 --> 00:25:15,620
This display is enough to send
the enemy packing.
293
00:25:18,340 --> 00:25:21,340
Here's what I think has happened.
294
00:25:21,340 --> 00:25:24,380
Toyota is a small group. I think
Enili leading the Whiskers,
295
00:25:24,380 --> 00:25:26,820
a big show of force forwards,
war dancing,
296
00:25:26,820 --> 00:25:28,740
the other group's legged it.
297
00:25:29,860 --> 00:25:32,900
And these little pups and Swift
are safe.
298
00:25:34,340 --> 00:25:37,180
And the Whiskers group has expanded
their territory.
299
00:25:38,660 --> 00:25:43,220
Another risky but brave call
from Enili that's paid off.
300
00:25:45,060 --> 00:25:47,740
I think she is a pretty cool cat!
301
00:26:00,540 --> 00:26:04,420
Over the next few days, Enili
repeatedly pushes the boundaries
302
00:26:04,420 --> 00:26:06,420
to try and keep her family fed.
303
00:26:10,580 --> 00:26:12,540
Food is desperately scarce.
304
00:26:12,540 --> 00:26:15,900
Each day, the Whiskers must travel
further than ever.
305
00:26:21,220 --> 00:26:24,020
If they keep invading rival
meerkats' territories
306
00:26:24,020 --> 00:26:25,500
with four tiny pups,
307
00:26:25,500 --> 00:26:27,940
sooner or later they'll come
unstuck.
308
00:26:33,300 --> 00:26:37,900
Late one evening, the Whiskers
are left stranded, deep
in enemy territory.
309
00:26:38,980 --> 00:26:41,380
They're too far from home
to turn back.
310
00:26:41,380 --> 00:26:44,580
They'll have to find somewhere
secure to spend the night.
311
00:26:46,700 --> 00:26:49,220
The safest option is underground.
312
00:26:49,220 --> 00:26:52,740
At night, the temperature can
plummet to well below zero.
313
00:26:52,740 --> 00:26:55,340
And there will be predators
on the prowl.
314
00:26:57,580 --> 00:26:59,220
There is a burrow here,
315
00:26:59,220 --> 00:27:00,860
but it's far from safe.
316
00:27:03,780 --> 00:27:05,740
Kung Fu, another meerkat group,
317
00:27:05,740 --> 00:27:08,780
this is their burrow,
deep in their territory.
318
00:27:09,820 --> 00:27:13,260
And now Whiskers have been caught
out by the time
319
00:27:13,260 --> 00:27:15,220
and are having to spend the night
here.
320
00:27:15,220 --> 00:27:18,340
They won't be approaching the burrow
as they do to one of their own.
321
00:27:18,340 --> 00:27:21,780
They're a lot more nervous.
A lot more sniffing,
322
00:27:21,780 --> 00:27:23,380
a lot more observant.
323
00:27:24,420 --> 00:27:30,820
There's every chance that these pups
will not have smelt this smell
before.
324
00:27:33,140 --> 00:27:34,780
This is your enemy.
325
00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:40,060
They have to be sure
before they commit themselves
326
00:27:40,060 --> 00:27:42,860
and the pups are spending the night
here.
327
00:27:50,220 --> 00:27:51,740
Hold on.
328
00:27:51,740 --> 00:27:53,740
They're mobbing something.
329
00:27:53,740 --> 00:27:56,540
They're not happy about something
down this hole.
330
00:27:59,580 --> 00:28:02,020
I've heard there's ground squirrels
down there.
331
00:28:02,020 --> 00:28:04,380
But they wouldn't be doing this
to ground squirrels.
332
00:28:06,220 --> 00:28:08,020
Could be a snake.
Could be a puff adder.
333
00:28:14,260 --> 00:28:16,020
I can't see.
334
00:28:16,020 --> 00:28:20,940
Swift's brave cousin Emesto is one
of the first to check out the holes.
335
00:28:26,340 --> 00:28:28,380
This one seems clear,
336
00:28:28,380 --> 00:28:30,980
so they all take a chance.
337
00:28:34,180 --> 00:28:37,020
If I was a meerkat,
part of the Whiskers group,
338
00:28:37,020 --> 00:28:39,140
I would not sleep happily here
tonight.
339
00:28:44,740 --> 00:28:47,300
Only time will tell if they've made
the right call.
340
00:28:50,060 --> 00:28:51,740
Take care, pups.
341
00:29:05,380 --> 00:29:09,980
At nightfall, there's a change
of shift in the Kalahari.
342
00:29:13,540 --> 00:29:16,460
Many predators start their
nightly patrols.
343
00:29:21,660 --> 00:29:24,700
This African wildcat is a close
relative of our domestic cat.
344
00:29:24,700 --> 00:29:29,380
Its nocturnal vision
and super-sensitive hearing
345
00:29:29,380 --> 00:29:32,180
enable it to hunt
even on the darkest nights.
346
00:29:38,380 --> 00:29:42,580
A meerkat pup stranded above ground
would be an easy target.
347
00:29:49,060 --> 00:29:52,740
But even underground, the family
isn't entirely safe.
348
00:29:55,940 --> 00:29:58,780
Venomous snakes are a real danger.
349
00:30:01,020 --> 00:30:02,820
So are rival gangs.
350
00:30:06,500 --> 00:30:09,340
DAWN CHORUS
351
00:30:13,740 --> 00:30:17,060
Have Swift and the rest of the
Whiskers come through the night
unscathed?
352
00:30:21,540 --> 00:30:23,980
With the sun close to the horizon,
353
00:30:23,980 --> 00:30:25,980
they should be getting up by now.
354
00:30:28,460 --> 00:30:31,100
I'm really keen
to count those pups up.
355
00:30:31,100 --> 00:30:34,540
I counted down four. I just hope
we count up four.
356
00:30:34,540 --> 00:30:37,340
They do not want to be hanging
around here.
357
00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:39,660
They do not want to be caught
at this burrow.
358
00:30:52,220 --> 00:30:54,020
First meerkat's up.
359
00:30:57,940 --> 00:30:59,300
Where are the rest?
360
00:31:01,580 --> 00:31:03,180
There's another.
361
00:31:05,820 --> 00:31:07,500
The dominant male.
362
00:31:08,580 --> 00:31:11,700
He's a tough, battle-scarred
individual.
363
00:31:14,540 --> 00:31:16,420
No sign of Swift yet.
364
00:31:17,780 --> 00:31:20,420
One, two, three, four, five
365
00:31:20,420 --> 00:31:22,180
adults up.
366
00:31:22,180 --> 00:31:24,900
Come on! Where are the pups?
367
00:31:27,780 --> 00:31:31,340
Seven, eight, nine, ten. We've got
about half the group up.
368
00:31:32,500 --> 00:31:34,860
Pup. It's a pup. Who is it?
369
00:31:34,860 --> 00:31:36,220
First one.
370
00:31:38,660 --> 00:31:41,140
One pup with Enili.
371
00:31:41,140 --> 00:31:42,980
It is Swift.
372
00:31:46,300 --> 00:31:48,340
And one of her brothers or sisters.
373
00:31:48,340 --> 00:31:50,780
We've got three pups. Three pups up.
374
00:31:50,780 --> 00:31:52,940
Just one to go!
375
00:31:52,940 --> 00:31:54,180
Four!
376
00:31:54,180 --> 00:31:57,220
We've got all four pups.
Thank goodness!
377
00:31:57,220 --> 00:31:59,860
You made it through the night, guys!
378
00:32:01,100 --> 00:32:04,540
Enili took a big risk staying here
last night.
379
00:32:04,540 --> 00:32:07,100
But it paid off.
380
00:32:09,020 --> 00:32:12,260
Meerkat families have burrows
throughout their territories.
381
00:32:12,260 --> 00:32:16,540
Thankfully, Kung Fu must have used
a different one last night.
382
00:32:17,700 --> 00:32:19,740
And if there was a snake
down one of the holes,
383
00:32:19,740 --> 00:32:21,540
they managed to avoid it.
384
00:32:28,180 --> 00:32:30,140
After such a bitterly cold night,
385
00:32:30,140 --> 00:32:32,900
Swift and the family need to
recharge their batteries.
386
00:32:45,100 --> 00:32:50,620
They get up on their hind legs
and soak up the sun in that classic
meerkat pose.
387
00:32:53,540 --> 00:32:57,540
They look like a load of furry
Easter Island statues!
388
00:32:58,820 --> 00:33:02,620
Their chests are covered
in a fine layer of dark fur.
389
00:33:02,620 --> 00:33:05,700
It acts like a little solar panel,
390
00:33:05,700 --> 00:33:09,540
absorbing every drop of warmth
from the dawn's first rays.
391
00:33:13,220 --> 00:33:17,220
A sunny morning is also the perfect
time for a little group bonding.
392
00:33:22,340 --> 00:33:25,980
As soon as two start, the others
are bound to join in!
393
00:33:33,900 --> 00:33:35,660
All this fun has a purpose.
394
00:33:35,660 --> 00:33:38,220
It reinforces the hierarchy.
395
00:33:38,220 --> 00:33:40,380
Who's above who.
396
00:33:43,660 --> 00:33:45,460
Even the boss joins in!
397
00:34:03,980 --> 00:34:07,260
For the pups, this rough and tumble
is more than a game.
398
00:34:07,260 --> 00:34:10,660
It sets their place
in the pecking order for life.
399
00:34:14,540 --> 00:34:17,180
It looks like Swift is coming out
on top.
400
00:34:41,460 --> 00:34:45,060
Swift is growing stronger and more
independent every day.
401
00:34:46,220 --> 00:34:48,340
She still suckles
402
00:34:48,340 --> 00:34:50,860
but less and less.
403
00:34:53,500 --> 00:34:56,980
Pretty soon, that source of
sustenance will dry up completely.
404
00:34:56,980 --> 00:35:01,300
Swift and her three siblings need
more solid food every day.
405
00:35:06,300 --> 00:35:08,500
Enili can't afford to bask any more.
406
00:35:14,260 --> 00:35:16,580
Enili is leading the group off.
407
00:35:17,820 --> 00:35:21,940
But once again, the tough conditions
force her in a dangerous direction.
408
00:35:23,180 --> 00:35:25,620
Why is she taking them that way?
409
00:35:25,620 --> 00:35:27,660
Whiskers' home territory
is that way.
410
00:35:27,660 --> 00:35:31,500
Kung Fu group, Ewok group
are that way.
411
00:35:32,740 --> 00:35:36,820
I've never seen them this far into
another group's territory before.
412
00:35:36,820 --> 00:35:39,260
With four pups, that's dangerous.
413
00:35:47,180 --> 00:35:50,020
With so many hungry mouths to feed,
414
00:35:50,020 --> 00:35:52,420
it looks like the rewards outweigh
the risks.
415
00:35:53,980 --> 00:35:55,500
For now.
416
00:36:09,300 --> 00:36:11,300
But Enili must be cautious.
417
00:36:14,780 --> 00:36:18,020
The neighbours won't be happy,
having food stolen
418
00:36:18,020 --> 00:36:20,100
from right under their noses.
419
00:36:22,500 --> 00:36:25,340
The group who rule this territory
are a force to be reckoned with.
420
00:36:26,940 --> 00:36:29,580
Their arch rivals, Kung Fu.
421
00:36:32,060 --> 00:36:37,060
Over 30 strong, they outnumber the
Whiskers, and are unlikely to back
down in battle.
422
00:36:37,060 --> 00:36:41,100
And there's history between
these two families.
423
00:36:43,020 --> 00:36:45,620
Earlier in the year,
they came to blows.
424
00:36:45,620 --> 00:36:47,860
A pup was killed in the crossfire.
425
00:36:59,300 --> 00:37:02,660
As the Whiskers head deeper into
Kung Fu's territory,
426
00:37:02,660 --> 00:37:04,740
Enili must be ready to react.
427
00:37:05,900 --> 00:37:07,980
The enemy could be anywhere.
428
00:37:09,020 --> 00:37:12,260
They've now come across
a bolt-hole...
429
00:37:14,060 --> 00:37:16,580
..of the Kung Fu group.
430
00:37:19,180 --> 00:37:22,460
Meerkats have bolt-holes throughout
their territories,
431
00:37:22,460 --> 00:37:24,620
where they can flee as soon as
danger is spotted.
432
00:37:30,380 --> 00:37:32,780
It looks like this one has been used
very recently.
433
00:37:35,020 --> 00:37:38,260
There's a lot of sniffing,
a lot of marking.
434
00:37:38,260 --> 00:37:39,860
Hyper-aware,
435
00:37:39,860 --> 00:37:41,900
everyone keeping an eye.
436
00:37:44,740 --> 00:37:46,380
Tails up.
437
00:37:47,820 --> 00:37:49,620
Super, super-aware.
438
00:37:51,060 --> 00:37:53,580
Enili doesn't like this
one little bit.
439
00:37:53,580 --> 00:37:55,180
She's not willing to risk it.
440
00:37:55,180 --> 00:37:57,140
Time to retreat.
441
00:37:57,140 --> 00:37:59,580
I've no idea what they've seen.
442
00:37:59,580 --> 00:38:02,020
Tails up, backs arched,
443
00:38:02,020 --> 00:38:04,260
pups and helpers at the front.
444
00:38:05,260 --> 00:38:08,180
Adults...who can fight at the back.
445
00:38:09,540 --> 00:38:11,980
Get the pups out first.
446
00:38:11,980 --> 00:38:16,580
I've never seen them run this far,
this fast.
447
00:38:16,580 --> 00:38:18,660
That was a very real danger.
448
00:38:18,660 --> 00:38:20,100
Whatever it was!
449
00:38:21,140 --> 00:38:23,140
Meerkats are light and very fleet
of foot.
450
00:38:23,140 --> 00:38:26,020
Whereas I, with this lot,
451
00:38:26,020 --> 00:38:27,420
am not!
452
00:38:31,780 --> 00:38:33,660
I can't see them.
453
00:38:33,660 --> 00:38:35,940
They're heading to the road.
454
00:38:37,580 --> 00:38:41,420
In all this chaos, it would be so
easy for the pups to get left
behind.
455
00:38:41,420 --> 00:38:43,860
Have they all made it to safety?
456
00:38:47,020 --> 00:38:48,420
Ah.
457
00:38:50,380 --> 00:38:52,180
OK. Here's the group.
458
00:38:52,180 --> 00:38:53,980
Who's here?
459
00:38:53,980 --> 00:38:56,660
One, two... Two pups.
460
00:38:58,060 --> 00:39:00,180
Three pups. Four pups.
461
00:39:00,180 --> 00:39:01,940
All the pups are here!
462
00:39:04,220 --> 00:39:06,500
We've just run nearly a kilometre.
463
00:39:08,020 --> 00:39:10,580
We're now right back at the road.
464
00:39:10,580 --> 00:39:14,980
Enili has decided this must be safe
now.
465
00:39:17,180 --> 00:39:20,620
But it's left Swift and the other
pups utterly exhausted.
466
00:39:24,100 --> 00:39:28,540
This pup is out for the count.
467
00:39:28,540 --> 00:39:32,380
It's just sprinted
nearly a kilometre.
468
00:39:33,620 --> 00:39:36,340
It's got nothing left.
469
00:39:36,340 --> 00:39:40,860
I'm knackered. Goodness knows
how those pups did that!
470
00:39:40,860 --> 00:39:41,980
Phew!
471
00:39:42,980 --> 00:39:48,020
Exhaustion aside, Enili has
once again made the right choice
for the family.
472
00:39:48,020 --> 00:39:50,540
She's chosen to head home.
473
00:40:03,900 --> 00:40:06,620
It's been another long day
for Swift.
474
00:40:06,620 --> 00:40:11,940
In human terms, she's covered
the equivalent of a marathon
on her tiny legs.
475
00:40:14,060 --> 00:40:16,980
She's narrowly avoided
going into battle.
476
00:40:18,740 --> 00:40:20,820
And she's had to run for her life.
477
00:40:27,500 --> 00:40:29,620
But she's safe.
478
00:40:29,620 --> 00:40:31,340
For now.
479
00:40:35,780 --> 00:40:38,660
The sun is now very low in the sky,
480
00:40:38,660 --> 00:40:45,620
casting huge shadows,
even off these little pups.
481
00:40:46,660 --> 00:40:48,700
Good job from Enili today.
482
00:40:49,780 --> 00:40:51,620
Everyone's fed.
483
00:40:51,620 --> 00:40:53,540
More importantly,
484
00:40:53,540 --> 00:40:55,500
she's kept the whole group
out of trouble.
485
00:40:55,500 --> 00:40:58,140
Kept them safe.
486
00:40:58,140 --> 00:41:00,660
And everyone's got home safely.
487
00:41:01,740 --> 00:41:04,420
Job well done for her.
488
00:41:06,500 --> 00:41:08,980
Enili isn't taking any risks
tonight.
489
00:41:19,580 --> 00:41:23,100
In their own burrow, the Whiskers
should sleep soundly.
490
00:41:51,780 --> 00:41:54,780
Next morning, the Whiskers are late
to rise.
491
00:42:03,140 --> 00:42:06,180
It's soon obvious that one of
the adults is really struggling.
492
00:42:11,460 --> 00:42:13,980
It's Emesto, Swift's cousin.
493
00:42:16,460 --> 00:42:18,140
He's been bitten by a snake.
494
00:42:21,820 --> 00:42:24,060
You can see the mark on his head
here.
495
00:42:24,060 --> 00:42:27,940
His right eye, very nearly closed.
496
00:42:27,940 --> 00:42:31,580
And that general lassitude,
drooping.
497
00:42:31,580 --> 00:42:35,300
Compare his posture to the other
meerkats.
498
00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:38,060
Up, agile, aware, light.
499
00:42:38,060 --> 00:42:40,900
This is a sick, sick animal.
500
00:42:43,180 --> 00:42:47,180
The Kalahari is home to some of the
most venomous snakes in the world
501
00:42:47,180 --> 00:42:49,540
including Cape Cobras.
502
00:42:51,100 --> 00:42:53,100
When meerkats meet a snake
above ground,
503
00:42:53,100 --> 00:42:55,380
they mob it en masse.
504
00:42:55,380 --> 00:42:58,580
They have astonishing reflexes
and can avoid every strike.
505
00:43:03,260 --> 00:43:05,100
In the confines of a burrow,
506
00:43:05,100 --> 00:43:07,580
it's a different story.
507
00:43:09,940 --> 00:43:13,060
Last night, down in the burrow
system, imagine it.
508
00:43:13,060 --> 00:43:17,140
Cobra in the dark.
This one takes the hit.
509
00:43:18,300 --> 00:43:23,780
A single Cape Cobra bite contains
enough venom to kill many men.
510
00:43:24,940 --> 00:43:27,180
This meerkat weighs less than
a kilo.
511
00:43:28,220 --> 00:43:30,660
Somehow, he's clinging on to life.
512
00:43:37,500 --> 00:43:40,820
But the powerful venom is now
pouring through Emesto's
little body,
513
00:43:40,820 --> 00:43:44,060
making it increasingly hard for him
to breathe.
514
00:43:47,140 --> 00:43:50,740
Swift and the rest of his family
seem aware of his suffering,
515
00:43:50,740 --> 00:43:52,700
but there's nothing they can do.
516
00:43:54,460 --> 00:43:57,300
This is a battle he's going to have
to fight alone.
517
00:44:06,860 --> 00:44:09,260
Living in such a desolate place,
518
00:44:09,260 --> 00:44:11,900
they have their own challenges
to face.
519
00:44:11,900 --> 00:44:14,460
Especially finding enough to eat.
520
00:44:22,380 --> 00:44:25,100
The group must head off to forage.
521
00:44:26,540 --> 00:44:29,780
They have no choice but to leave
Emesto behind.
522
00:44:29,780 --> 00:44:31,820
FLIES BUZZ
523
00:44:42,180 --> 00:44:43,860
WHIMPERS WEAKLY
524
00:44:47,860 --> 00:44:50,340
Emesto bravely tries to keep up,
525
00:44:50,340 --> 00:44:52,260
but he doesn't have the strength.
526
00:44:54,180 --> 00:44:57,700
Practically blind and almost
paralysed by the snake's venom,
527
00:44:57,700 --> 00:45:00,140
he slowly drifts behind.
528
00:45:02,860 --> 00:45:08,340
Over the years, I've seen different
animals who've died.
529
00:45:08,340 --> 00:45:12,500
And they tend to take themselves
away, on their own.
530
00:45:20,780 --> 00:45:23,620
This is the grim reality
for meerkats.
531
00:45:23,620 --> 00:45:26,660
They live in a dangerous world.
532
00:45:29,060 --> 00:45:31,780
Every day they face snakes
and other deadly predators.
533
00:45:34,380 --> 00:45:38,860
From time to time,
one of them succumbs.
534
00:45:56,100 --> 00:45:58,380
Even though they're a man down,
535
00:45:58,380 --> 00:46:02,220
the Whiskers can't shake the risky
habit of stealing from
the neighbours
536
00:46:02,220 --> 00:46:04,020
to feed their growing family.
537
00:46:04,020 --> 00:46:06,260
But it's paying dividends.
538
00:46:10,820 --> 00:46:12,780
Swift is thriving.
539
00:46:16,660 --> 00:46:20,140
She's seven weeks old now,
and she's doubled in size.
540
00:46:25,300 --> 00:46:28,020
She's getting more independent
every day.
541
00:46:29,460 --> 00:46:32,660
She can even dig up the occasional
morsel for herself.
542
00:46:48,460 --> 00:46:50,540
But the more time you spend away,
543
00:46:50,540 --> 00:46:52,980
the bigger the chance of being
burgled yourself.
544
00:46:58,820 --> 00:47:01,540
The Whiskers have been given a taste
of their own medicine.
545
00:47:01,540 --> 00:47:05,220
A rival group's been sleeping
in one of their burrows.
546
00:47:05,220 --> 00:47:08,420
And they don't like it
one little bit!
547
00:47:15,780 --> 00:47:19,820
When they catch sight of something,
it really gets their backs up!
548
00:47:19,820 --> 00:47:23,140
The Whiskers are on the war path.
549
00:47:24,820 --> 00:47:28,300
Full on war dance. Straight towards
the sand dunes to the north.
550
00:47:28,300 --> 00:47:30,860
I'm presuming it's another
big group.
551
00:47:34,380 --> 00:47:37,500
This is meerkats at their meanest.
552
00:47:37,500 --> 00:47:39,820
Tails up, backs arched.
553
00:47:39,820 --> 00:47:42,660
War dancing is a visual show
of strength.
554
00:47:42,660 --> 00:47:47,860
The bigger the show, the better
the chance the other group will
turn tail and flee.
555
00:47:53,180 --> 00:47:56,340
Without Emesto, Whiskers
are missing a warrior.
556
00:47:57,420 --> 00:48:01,020
But this time, Swift and the other
pups make up the numbers.
557
00:48:02,060 --> 00:48:04,140
Look at Swift, war dancing!
558
00:48:04,140 --> 00:48:05,980
She knows what to do!
559
00:48:08,980 --> 00:48:11,060
This dune marks their northern
territory.
560
00:48:11,060 --> 00:48:15,260
There's a group called Sequoia whose
territory borders right on this
ridge.
561
00:48:15,260 --> 00:48:17,060
Maybe it's them.
562
00:48:20,980 --> 00:48:23,460
If the war dance doesn't scare
the intruders off,
563
00:48:23,460 --> 00:48:25,420
and they end up trading blows,
564
00:48:25,420 --> 00:48:27,860
Swift and the other pups will be
most at risk.
565
00:48:29,140 --> 00:48:32,380
Whiskers are not happy.
They want to see them off.
566
00:48:42,260 --> 00:48:44,700
These guys are all over the place!
567
00:48:46,460 --> 00:48:48,620
Swift and her sister
right at the forefront.
568
00:48:49,980 --> 00:48:52,260
That pup knows no fear!
569
00:48:56,220 --> 00:48:58,980
There's no sign of the intruders.
570
00:49:01,580 --> 00:49:04,900
Looks like they've realised
the Whiskers were just too strong.
571
00:49:08,460 --> 00:49:13,540
For my money, this was Sequoia
group. They're always pushing
this boundary.
572
00:49:13,540 --> 00:49:15,380
Whiskers weren't happy with it.
573
00:49:15,380 --> 00:49:18,420
They obviously slept within
Whiskers' territory last night.
574
00:49:19,660 --> 00:49:23,140
Swift and the others came over,
smelt them. "Not having this."
575
00:49:23,140 --> 00:49:26,140
They must have caught sight of them
for their reaction to be
that strong.
576
00:49:26,140 --> 00:49:29,380
Chased them right up over the dunes.
They've gone!
577
00:49:31,860 --> 00:49:36,300
Swift has passed her first test
in the art of meerkat warfare.
578
00:49:49,740 --> 00:49:54,780
With so many close calls recently,
the Whiskers are still on
high alert.
579
00:49:56,820 --> 00:49:59,540
When they spot a lone male
in the distance,
580
00:49:59,540 --> 00:50:01,700
naturally they're nervous.
581
00:50:08,940 --> 00:50:12,900
It could be a scout
from a neighbouring troop.
582
00:50:12,900 --> 00:50:16,900
You get lone males who'll try and
come and mate with the females.
583
00:50:16,900 --> 00:50:20,860
They are very much seen as the enemy
and they will be killed
if they are caught.
584
00:50:26,900 --> 00:50:29,340
Here come Whiskers.
585
00:50:30,980 --> 00:50:32,780
Swift's there at the front.
586
00:50:35,260 --> 00:50:37,820
They're going, going, going,
going, going!
587
00:50:37,820 --> 00:50:39,540
I've lost them. Got to move.
588
00:50:53,100 --> 00:50:55,860
Oh, that's amazing!
589
00:50:59,180 --> 00:51:00,780
It's not a rogue male.
590
00:51:02,620 --> 00:51:04,220
It's Emesto!
591
00:51:07,700 --> 00:51:10,740
They're back together! They're
smelling him, they're scenting him.
592
00:51:10,740 --> 00:51:12,900
They recognise him.
593
00:51:12,900 --> 00:51:16,060
Enili, Swift, right in there.
594
00:51:21,100 --> 00:51:22,780
I can't believe it!
595
00:51:22,780 --> 00:51:27,540
We left that male bitten by a cobra
two days ago.
596
00:51:27,540 --> 00:51:29,620
I truly thought
597
00:51:29,620 --> 00:51:31,460
that was him dead.
598
00:51:31,460 --> 00:51:32,940
I haven't seen him for two days.
599
00:51:32,940 --> 00:51:35,540
And he's made it back to the group!
600
00:51:36,780 --> 00:51:38,740
That's astonishing!
601
00:51:50,740 --> 00:51:53,180
These tiny creatures
602
00:51:53,180 --> 00:51:55,860
continue almost daily to astound me.
603
00:51:55,860 --> 00:51:58,500
That venom would have killed
ten of me.
604
00:52:00,340 --> 00:52:02,220
And yeah, he may be blind
in one eye,
605
00:52:02,220 --> 00:52:03,980
but he's back with the group.
606
00:52:03,980 --> 00:52:06,220
They are astonishing creatures.
607
00:52:13,540 --> 00:52:15,580
Emesto has been through the wars.
608
00:52:16,660 --> 00:52:20,420
But now he's reunited,
he's going to be OK.
609
00:52:20,420 --> 00:52:22,740
He's a real warrior,
610
00:52:22,740 --> 00:52:27,220
living proof of just how resilient
these remarkable little animals are.
611
00:52:47,700 --> 00:52:50,060
Winter bites hard
in the Kalahari Desert.
612
00:52:54,740 --> 00:52:57,980
Swift is over two months old now.
613
00:53:01,900 --> 00:53:07,540
Her exceptional family, the
Whiskers, have taught her many of
the tricks she'll need to survive.
614
00:53:12,820 --> 00:53:18,460
With their help, she's successfully
negotiated the most critical months
of her life.
615
00:53:20,060 --> 00:53:21,980
She's close to independence.
616
00:53:23,220 --> 00:53:26,740
But she still has one more lesson
to learn.
617
00:53:26,740 --> 00:53:29,100
And this one has a sting
in the tail!
618
00:53:30,260 --> 00:53:31,700
Scorpions.
619
00:53:32,860 --> 00:53:34,980
A meerkat's favourite feast.
620
00:53:38,460 --> 00:53:42,020
It's a Michelin-starred meal,
but it's dangerous.
621
00:53:45,020 --> 00:53:48,180
There are species here with a sting
potent enough to kill a human.
622
00:53:53,700 --> 00:53:57,220
The adults develop a natural
immunity to the venom.
623
00:53:59,500 --> 00:54:02,180
But Swift hasn't built up
this protection yet.
624
00:54:02,180 --> 00:54:04,180
She could be seriously hurt.
625
00:54:08,500 --> 00:54:11,740
She needs a lesson in the art
of scorpion handling.
626
00:54:12,820 --> 00:54:16,020
And, generous as ever,
her wounded cousin Emesto
627
00:54:16,020 --> 00:54:17,700
is on hand to help.
628
00:54:24,980 --> 00:54:27,780
With a bite to the tail,
he disarms the sting.
629
00:54:35,420 --> 00:54:38,540
Then he hands it over for Swift
to get to grips with it.
630
00:54:50,020 --> 00:54:52,020
With a few more of these lessons,
631
00:54:52,020 --> 00:54:56,220
it won't be long before she's
deft enough to handle scorpions
all by herself.
632
00:55:07,620 --> 00:55:11,500
Swift's is a remarkable
success story.
633
00:55:11,500 --> 00:55:14,780
The odds were heavily stacked
against her.
634
00:55:16,940 --> 00:55:18,700
With the rains failing,
635
00:55:18,700 --> 00:55:23,220
she and the other pups only had
a 50/50 chance of surviving
to two months old.
636
00:55:27,500 --> 00:55:30,060
All four of them have made it.
637
00:55:34,900 --> 00:55:38,660
They all defied the odds and they're
all here and all thriving.
638
00:55:40,500 --> 00:55:42,420
MEERKAT SOUNDS ALARM
639
00:55:44,900 --> 00:55:46,420
Because of that.
640
00:55:46,420 --> 00:55:52,340
Enili spotted danger. No chances.
She's been such a good leader.
641
00:55:53,740 --> 00:55:57,980
Enili has guided Swift and the rest
of this group through
real hardships.
642
00:56:00,420 --> 00:56:04,580
The Kalahari is a harsh place
to live.
643
00:56:05,660 --> 00:56:09,180
And the meerkats here don't only
just scratch a living,
644
00:56:09,180 --> 00:56:12,980
they prosper and thrive
because of team work.
645
00:56:14,260 --> 00:56:16,500
Everyone has played their part.
646
00:56:16,500 --> 00:56:20,140
The Kalahari breeds tough animals.
647
00:56:20,140 --> 00:56:23,380
And no-one embodies that
more than Emesto.
648
00:56:24,380 --> 00:56:26,620
Struck in the face by a cobra.
649
00:56:27,980 --> 00:56:30,020
And here he is now.
650
00:56:31,060 --> 00:56:32,660
He's back with the group
651
00:56:32,660 --> 00:56:35,900
and helping to raise these pups.
652
00:56:35,900 --> 00:56:38,020
Enili's still young
653
00:56:38,020 --> 00:56:40,740
and she's got a long reign
ahead of her.
654
00:56:40,740 --> 00:56:43,300
But when you look at Swift,
655
00:56:43,300 --> 00:56:48,420
she's determined,
characterful, driven.
656
00:56:48,420 --> 00:56:53,820
I can't help thinking she's got all
the attributes of a leader herself.
657
00:56:56,660 --> 00:56:59,660
That feistiness, the determination.
658
00:57:00,940 --> 00:57:05,860
And she is the most dominant.
When they've war-danced, she's been
at the front of it all.
659
00:57:07,660 --> 00:57:10,940
Who knows? In three or four years'
time,
660
00:57:10,940 --> 00:57:16,260
Swift could be leading her own band
of meerkats in this parched corner
of Africa.
661
00:57:32,580 --> 00:57:35,420
It's over four months since Toby
left the Kalahari.
662
00:57:35,420 --> 00:57:40,540
Enili's still the boss
and will be for a while yet.
663
00:57:41,780 --> 00:57:46,580
Emesto's scar is a constant reminder
of how dangerous this desert can be.
664
00:57:46,580 --> 00:57:51,940
But somehow, he's fully recovered,
and even has his sight back
in both eyes.
665
00:57:53,980 --> 00:57:57,020
Sadly, one of the pups disappeared
in June,
666
00:57:57,020 --> 00:58:00,980
probably taken by a predator.
667
00:58:00,980 --> 00:58:02,580
The other three are thriving.
668
00:58:04,220 --> 00:58:06,740
Swift is now fully independent.
669
00:58:06,740 --> 00:58:10,180
She's even tackled her first
scorpion alone.
670
00:58:10,180 --> 00:58:12,500
With winter now over,
671
00:58:12,500 --> 00:58:15,540
the coming months should be
a lot less challenging
672
00:58:15,540 --> 00:58:17,300
for this brave little thing.
673
00:58:17,300 --> 00:58:19,580
Her story continues.
674
00:58:43,300 --> 00:58:46,340
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