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. To Have and to Have Not
Aired 6 June 2008
Maybelline dominance over the Aztecs begins to crumble and members start leaving the gang. Rocket Dog has similar problems with the Whiskers.
2. All Manor of Love
Aired 13 June 2008
When Wilson tries to join the Aztecs and Zaphod deters his encroachment, he seeks attention from one of the Whiskers females.
3. Rising Star
Aired 20 June 2008
A vicious Nikita defends her territory when the Whiskers wander onto Commando territory.
4. The Family Way
Aired 27 June 2008
Sophie has problems with Rocket Dog's pregnancy, and the Aztecs find a new home with the help of Seacrest.
5. The Mask of Zorro
Aired 4 July 2008
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.
6. Great Expectations
Aired 11 July 2008
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.
7. The Bodyguard
Aired 18 July 2008
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.
8. Divided We Fall
Aired 25 July 2008
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.
9. To the Manor Born
Aired 1 August 2008
Lead by a pregnant Maybelline, the Aztecs battle former rivals while Nikita's pups create chaos in the Commando den.
10. The Birds
Aired 15 August 2008
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.
11. The Rovers Return
Aired 22 August 2008
Wilson and Phillippe leave on a mission to meet female meerkats and hopefully find a group in which they can join.
12. Home Alone
Aired 22 August 2008
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.
13. The Darkest Day
Aired 22 August 2008
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.