Meerkat Manor (2005)
Meerkat Manor is a British television programme produced by Oxford Scientific Films for Animal Planet International that premiered in September 2005 and ran for four series until its cancellation in August 2008. Blending more traditional animal documentary style footage with dramatic narration, the series told the story of the Whiskers, one of more than a dozen families of meerkats in the Kalahari Desert being studied as part of the Kalahari Meerkat Project, a long-term field study into the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of the cooperative nature of meerkats. The original programme was narrated by Bill Nighy, with the narration redubbed by Mike Goldman for the Australian airings and Sean Astin for the American broadcasts. The fourth series, subtitled The Next Generation, saw Stockard Channing replacing Astin as the narrator in the American dubbing. Meerkat Manor premiered in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2005, and the first 13-episode series concluded on 24 October 2005. With the success of the programme in the United Kingdom, Animal Planet started broadcasting it on its national channels in Australia, Canada, and the US. It has since been rebroadcast in more than 160 other countries. The fourth, and final, series aired initially in the United States from 6 June 2008 to 22 August 2008; it aired in the United Kingdom in April 2009. In August 2009, it was reported that the programme had been cancelled.
Seasons & Episode
Maybelline dominance over the Aztecs begins to crumble and members start leaving the gang. Rocket Dog has similar problems with the Whiskers.
When Wilson tries to join the Aztecs and Zaphod deters his encroachment, he seeks attention from one of the Whiskers females.
A vicious Nikita defends her territory when the Whiskers wander onto Commando territory.
Sophie has problems with Rocket Dog's pregnancy, and the Aztecs find a new home with the help of Seacrest.
Led by Zorro, a group of Whiskers boys confront the Commandos, where the whole group stages a military coup. Meanwhile, Sophie is evicted from the Whiskers and could face living in exile.
In her final days of pregnancy, Rocket Dog seeks a new burrow so she may give birth to her pups. Zorro learns what being a Commando is like as Nikita exerts her authority on her pregnant subordinates.
Sophie and Axel are distracted by Wilson when they are supposed to be babysitting, which leaves Rocket Dog's pups unattended. Meanwhile, Maybelline and Rocket Dog encounter difficulties of their own.
A pair of babysitters takes Rocket Dog's pups on an unexpected trip away from the burrow, which causes major problems when they encounter a rival gang.
Lead by a pregnant Maybelline, the Aztecs battle former rivals while Nikita's pups create chaos in the Commando den.
Nugget and Beaker receive their first desert survival lessons. As the Whiskers move their burrow, the Commandos stage a war over rations and power. Meanwhile, Miles is taught an important lesson by his brother, Zorro.
Wilson and Phillippe leave on a mission to meet female meerkats and hopefully find a group in which they can join.
Rocket Dog's second litter of pups arrive at a time when the Whiskers are at their weakest. However, the survival of the new pups becomes uncertain when a dangerous situation presents itself.
Dominant male Zorro goes missing in action and chaos ensures among the Commandos. Meanwhile, a family tragedy strikes yet a second time at the Whiskers burrow.