About this season
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.
Episodes (13)
1. On Dangerous Ground
Aired 10 August 2007 • 30 min
The third season opens with Flower leading the Whiskers gang to better hunting grounds. When they cross into territory claimed by the rival Zappa clan, an altercation with them ends with a missing pup.
2. The Mission
Aired 17 August 2007 • 30 min
After Flower's pups go missing in Zappa territory, Mitch helps to reunite the family and the pups. During his mission, he encounters Mozart and Carlos, who have started their own group.
3. Sister Act
Aired 24 August 2007 • 30 min
The Whiskers are getting acquainted with their new territory as Mozart and Kinkajou compete for the role of dominant female of the new Starsky group.
4. The Death of Romance
Aired 31 August 2007 • 30 min
Carlos learns he has competition from Houdini from the Zappa group and the Starsky learn their new home may be temporary.
5. The Tale of Len and Squiggy
Aired 7 September 2007 • 30 min
After Flower disappears mysteriously, Rocket Dog is left to lead the group. Dire consequences ensue when roving males from the Zappa appear and the pups become their victims.
6. Sibling Rivalry
Aired 14 September 2007 • 30 min
Lola, the dominant female of the Zappa, is missing. In her absence, Punk attempts to take charge of the Zappa. When the wounded Lola makes her way home, she is greeted by a coup and her dominance is taken by her sister, Punk.
7. Heavy is the Crown
Aired 21 September 2007 • 30 min
The Kalahari is in serious drought, which splits the Whiskers for nearly a month. Although the Commandoes occupy the territory, Flower returns with half the group to their old manor in a desperate attempt to search for food. Flower's daughter, Rocket Dog, is left in charge of the remaining family and has problems dealing with leadership.
8. Journey's End
Aired 28 September 2007 • 30 min
Flower gives birth to her third litter of the year. The Whiskers have reunited and have driven away the Zappas from their territory, then tragedy strikes the Whiskers family.
9. A New Day
Aired 5 October 2007 • 30 min
Rocket Dog and her sister, Maybelline, compete as dominant female of the Whiskers. Zaphod exhibits resistance to the new leadership.
10. Farewell, My Lovely
Aired 12 October 2007 • 30 min
As the season changes, Zaphod leaves the Whiskers and begins a new life as a roving male. His attempt to find a new mate in the Zappa tribe is thwarted by the existing dominant male, so he decides to continue living alone.
11. Three Degrees of Separation
Aired 19 October 2007 • 30 min
The Whisker pups are taken their first foraging trip to learn about Kalahari life. Mozart, Kinkajou, and De la Soul of the Starskys try to resolve a problem with an unfortunate resolution.
12. The Graduate
Aired 26 October 2007 • 30 min
A new roving male, Wilson from the Commandoes, joins the Whiskers and makes advances on one of the females. Mozart attracts the attention of a new male.
13. A Family at War
Aired 2 November 2007 • 30 min
As the season ends, the Whiskers now have 50 members. The new matriarch, Rocket Dog, attempts to maintain control of the group in spite of the efforts of her sister, Maybelline, to attain dominant female status. The group dynamic has changed and nothing will ever be the same again.