01x05 - Meerkat

[bunniefuu]

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
The Makgadikgadi in Botswana,

known as "the great nothing".

Here, islands of dry grass are
surrounded by a desert of salt.

At first glance,
there appears no sign of life,

beyond old footprints
baked hard into the ground.

But this island is home

to a newly crowned
meerkat queen...

...called Maghogho.

She's marked
by a scar on her right cheek.

Her kingdom is at the limit
of what meerkats can endure.

Temperatures can reach
50 degrees Celsius,

and it doesn't rain for months.

(CHIRRUPS)

Yet it's here

that Maghogho must learn
to lead a meerkat family.

(CHIRRUPS)

She rules
over her two sisters...

...Pretty...

...and Dragonfly...

...and three males.

Together...

...they have seven new pups...

(CHIRRUPING)

...the beginning of a dynasty.

To raise pups
in a land as harsh as this,

Maghogho will need to rely
on the strength of her family.

But this group is small

and inexperienced.

She needs to unite them
as a team.

Only then can she raise
these pups to adulthood.

Only then...

...can she establish
her dynasty.

(SNORTS)

Meerkats are always ruled
by a queen.

The most successful might
command a group of 30,

with daughters
and granddaughters

to inherit the land.

But Maghogho is just
at the start of this journey.

Now she's responsible

for all the key decisions
for her group.

(CHIRRUPING)

This year,
there's little room for error.

The dry season is proving
particularly intense,

and food on the island
is running out.

(BARKS)

It's vital that the adults
support each other.

Keeping watch
over them all is Pretty,

Maghogho's sister
and closest ally.

(BIRD CAWS)

She scans the horizon
for danger,

allowing the others
to safely search

for the food they need.

(CHIRRUPS)

Pretty is also mother
to two of the pups.

Maghogho is mother
to the other five.

This is very unusual.
Normally, queens don't allow

other females in their group
to breed...

...because a lot of pups
need a lot of supervision.

(INSECT BUZZES)

(SQUEAKS)

(YELPS)

As queen, it's not
Maghogho's job to baby-sit.

That's the role
of the other adults.

Right now
they should be finding

the youngsters' breakfast.

(CHIRRUPS)

(PUP SQUEALS)

(BARKING AND CHIRRUPING)

(GROWLS)

But when food is this scarce,

having so many pups is hard
for the group to look after.

Even their father,
the alpha male Thonga Tona,

is not prepared to share.

(CHIRRUPING)

One adult, however,

is putting the pups' hunger
above his own...

...Boipuso, the most
junior male of the group.

(DISTANT BARKING)

He is the only one prepared
to give up his hard-won meals,

even though
they aren't his pups.

Being a soft touch
doesn't go unnoticed.

Now he can't get anything done.

Maybe he could get Pretty
to help -

two of the pups are hers.

(YELPS)

But Pretty is not
at her lookout post.

(DISTANT BARKING)

She's not answering
their calls...

(YELPS)

...even those of her pups.

(YAPS)

It's Pretty.

Something is wrong.

She can barely walk.

Maghogho
has witnessed this before.

It has all the hallmarks
of a snake bite.

(BARKS)

There's a good chance that
the snake is still close by.

Maghogho must act quickly

to get the pups as far away
as she can,

even though this means
leaving her sister.

(CHIRRUPING)

The only one to stay behind

is Thonga Tona.

Meerkats' bonds run deep...

...in health

and sickness.

But there is nothing
he can do to help her.

(YELPS)

With food running out
and a snake on the loose,

Maghogho's home
no longer feels secure.

She has a difficult decision
to make.

In the distance,
there is another grassland.

But reaching it will mean
crossing a saltpan

over half a mile wide.

(GRUNTING)

It's dangerous.

There are predators
and there's nowhere to hide.

Maghogho must decide
if it's worth the gamble.

She must lead

and rely on the other adults
to guide the pups.

This will be a real test
of their teamwork.

(YELPS)

(YELPING CONTINUES)

Coast clear,
Maghogho decides to go.

And the adults follow.

But only one of her family
has waited for a pup.

(SCREECHES)

A jackal.

(TRILLS)

The adults pick up speed...

...and don't look back.

(TRILLING)

(YELPS)

(YELPING CONTINUES)

Stranded and alone,

the pup turns back.

(YELPS)

Maghogho and the adults may
have reached the other side,

but the pups
are nowhere to be seen.

The family's inexperience has
put the youngsters in jeopardy.

(EAGLE CALLS)

For one pup,
it's already too late...

...crushed
in an eagle's talons.

Maghogho must act now.

She heads back to the island...

...alone.

As dusk falls,

there is still no sign
of the pups...or Maghogho.

The next morning.

(YELPS)

(YELPS)

Maghogho has scoured
the island...

(YELPS)

(CHIRRUPS)

(CHIRRUPS)

...but has only found one pup.

(YELPS)

There is no sign of the others.

(YELPS)

(YELPS)

(YELPS)

(CHIRRUPING)

Now the hope of her dynasty

falls on
this one remaining pup.

(CHIRRUPING)

Her family have let her down.

If they are to succeed,

they need to work together...

...especially
as they're entering

unfamiliar territory.

This new grassland
is very different

from their island.

(BIRDSONG)

It stretches for miles,

and here there may be
the promise of more food.

Maghogho's first priority

is to find a safe place

for her family to shelter.

This abandoned burrow
will be the perfect den.

It just needs
a bit of a spring clean.

There are new neighbours.

(WHISTLES)

Not very welcoming!

(SCREECHES)

(BARKS)

(SCREECHES)

And there may be
real dangers, too.

It's wise to be prepared.

Maghogho chooses
the hardest earth

to dig a long narrow tunnel -

a deep bunker and last resort
in an emergency.

(CHIRRUPS)

Meanwhile, Thonga Tona
takes his pup out to find food.

In this new place, it seems,

finding scorpions
is a little easier.

With the pup quietened,

Thonga Tona can worry
about his own stomach.

The scorpion is a good meal,

but it takes a long time
to chew.

And by the time
the pup has finished...

(YELPS)

...Thonga Tona has disappeared
off into the long grass.

(YELPS)

(SQUEAKS)

At last, a familiar shape.

(CHIRRUPS)

But, in fact, the pup is
heading away from his father...

...towards
another meerkat family.

Thonga Tona has made
a terrible mistake.

These are rival meerkats,

and they may k*ll intruders.

The pup is naive
to the danger...

...and instinctively
follows the strangers,

as they lead him away.

This is dangerous.

Maghogho and her family
are trespassing

in a rival kingdom.

(BARKS)

Her alarm call urgently
gathers the family together.

But Thonga Tona is already

taking matters
into his own hands...

...venturing deeper
into the rivals' territory.

But he's not heading
towards his pup.

(YELPS)

He's stealing the rivals' pups.

This is reckless.

When the rivals
return to their burrow,

they realise
their pups are missing...

(CHIRRUPING)

...and they're over
with Maghogho's family.

Maghogho did not want this,

but now, thanks to Thonga Tona,

she must lead her family
into battle.

(YELPS)

These high jumps
are a show of strength.

But the rivals
are not intimidated.

(GROWLING)

The fight is short
but decisive.

The rivals have got
their youngsters back...

...and they still have
Maghogho's pup.

But this conflict is not over.

Maghogho is still trespassing
on their land

and they must drive her out.

Maghogho's family have
one last line of defence...

(CHIRRUPING)

...her bunker.

As the rivals approach,

they have Maghogho's pup.

Last in is Boipuso.

(GROWLING)

The entrance is so narrow
that he can block it

with just his head.

Maghogho's pup
makes a dash for the bunker.

(GROWLING AND SNARLING)

Try as they might,
the rivals can't breach

the bunker's walls...

...and they have left
their pups unattended...

(SNARLING)

...so they decide to retreat.

(CHIRRUPING)

The battle over,
Maghogho's family are safe...

...and so is her pup.

It was a close call.

They survived
because they stood

and fought together,
as a team.

But there is one member
of the group

who did not fight
with the family.

Thonga Tona.

His unruliness
is a threat to the whole group.

(QUIET YELP)

The family
will not tolerate this...

...not least Boipuso

and the other adult male,
Rra Lebadi.

(SNARLING)

Maghogho joins the attack.

Rra Lebadi might k*ll
Thonga Tona.

But remarkably,

Boipuso steps in to shield him.

(CHIRRUPS)

(GROWLING)

(YELPS)

Thonga Tona is lucky.

He's been spared.

But his position
as the alpha male is over.

Maghogho no longer
wants him as her partner.

Now there is to be a new order.

By scent-marking Boipuso,

she has chosen him
as the new alpha male.

He's strong and loyal -

exactly the sort of partner
she needs.

(SNORTS)

Maghogho needs
to build her dynasty...

...but she has only one pup.

The rains are now
two months late.

Simply surviving at the moment
is a challenge.

Each day, the search for food
takes longer and longer.

Yet there is hope.

(WIND GUSTS)

The wind
is a sign of distant rain.

But it also drives dust storms
over the land.

(WIND GUSTS)

The group need
to keep searching for food.

(CHIRRUPS)

Duststorms can change direction
in a moment.

(WIND GUSTS)

(YELPS)

Maghogho sounds the alarm.

(YELPING CONTINUES)

Time to take cover
in their den.

(WIND GUSTS)

(YELPS)

(SQUEAKS)

But the pup hasn't heard
the warning,

and they can't hear his calls.

(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

(WIND HOWLS)

(THUNDER CRACKS)

As the dust storm
overwhelms the land...

...all you can do is wait...

...and hold your breath.

(GENTLE BREEZE)

Life here is fragile.

Maghogho's last pup
did not survive the storm.

The family could not
protect him from this,

the harshest of lands.

Without pups...

...there is no dynasty.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

For another week,

the rain clouds
gather and disappear.

And then instead of dust,

the winds bring...

...a deluge of rain.

(THUNDER CRACKS)

Over the course
of just a few days,

the Makgadikgadi turns green.

(BIRD CALLS)

Their world is reborn.

Saltpans fill with water.

(SNORTS)

To them flock visitors

from miles around.

Suddenly, a land
that could barely support

a family of meerkats

is filled with life.

This is what Maghogho
and her family

have been waiting for.

(SNORTS)

They have hung on
through the bad times...

...and now they have the chance
to build the dynasty again.

(CHIRRUPS)

Two months later,

and Maghogho
is heavily pregnant.

In Boipuso, Maghogho has
a loyal and attentive partner.

But she also needs food.

Now, after rains,

the grass is littered
with grubs

hatching from the wet earth.

Being constantly hungry

isn't the only side effect
of being pregnant.

(DISTANT BRAYING)

Thonga Tona has accepted
his new role.

He stands on sentry,

allowing Maghogho and Boipuso
the time to rest.

But there is a new threat
to the dynasty's future,

from within.

Maghogho's younger sister,
Dragonfly,

the only other female
in the group.

She, too, is pregnant.

The last time Maghogho allowed
one of her sisters to breed,

there were too many pups
for the group to look after.

She can't risk that again.

Dragonfly must be evicted
from the group.

(YELPS)

(YELPING)

(YELPS)

In exile and alone,

Dragonfly will struggle
to find food

and look out for danger.

Maghogho is prepared
to sacrifice her sister

to protect the unborn pups

she can feel moving inside her.

(CHIRRUPS)

After three weeks,

Maghogho spots Dragonfly again.

(CHIRRUPS)

But there is something
different about her.

She is no longer pregnant.

The stress of being alone

has taken its toll.

Now she is no longer a threat.

And with a bow to her sister,

she is accepted
back into the family.

The timing is perfect.

Maghogho has given birth
to four new pups...

(YELPS)

...three boys and a girl...

...maybe a future queen.

(YELPS)

These pups are the hope
for the future

of this dynasty...

...and everything this family
have sacrificed so much for.

(YELPS)

Dragonfly may have lost
her own babies,

but her instinct to protect
her sister's pups is strong.

She still has milk,

and even feeds them
as if they were her own.

Now, with Dragonfly
as baby-sitter,

the rest of the family
can concentrate on feeding.

And when Maghogho comes home,

she is greeted by a sister
who is now the perfect support

for her and the pups.

Maghogho has everything
she needs...

...almost.

This is not her kingdom...

...and living here
is becoming more dangerous.

The pups are starting to follow
the adults out to feed.

They are dwarfed by giants.

And hiding among the herds...

...are predators.

(BARKS)

(SCREECHING)

(BARKS)

(SCREECHING)

They would be only too happy
to snap up a pup.

And to make matters worse,

the rival group are back.

Maghogho and her family
need to leave.

She knows where to take them -

the one place
where there are few predators

and no rivals.

Time to take a gamble

and return to her island.

The last time they tried to
lead pups across this saltpan,

there was chaos.

Now she will have to trust

that her family can truly
work together as a team.

(CHIRRUPING)

This time
they stay close together,

with the pups in sight.

Then...almost at the island...

...a final challenge.

The far edge of the saltpan
is flooded.

Meerkats are not swimmers.

(YELPS)

Luckily, it's only belly deep.

Maghogho is home...

...back in her island
kingdom...

...a sanctuary from predators

and rivals.

She is now not just a queen
but a true leader,

with a loyal family.

And crucially,
they are now a team.

They are the pups' teachers
and protectors.

And these pups have the space

to learn to fight...

...to hunt...

...and to bond...

...everything they need
to survive this harsh land.

The dry times will come again,

and Maghogho and her family
will face those times as one.

They may be small...

...but together
they are strong.

At last, Maghogho
has everything she needs

to continue her dynasty...

...for now.

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
Botswana's Makgadikgadi

is the largest collection
of saltpans in the world.

It's an extremely harsh
and hot place.

But in this vast landscape,

the Dynasties team
finds the real challenge

is getting close

to an animal little bigger
than the squirrel.

They have all the equipment
they hope

will get cameras
into the meerkats'

low-lying world.

But filming Maghogho's family
is harder than anyone imagined.

Meerkats can give

any camera team
a run for their money.

Luckily, experts are keeping
track of Maghogho's family.

Local guide Villa knows
the challenge only too well.

VILLA:
It's really, really difficult

to film these meerkats.

Whenever the cameraman
tries to put his camera down

so that he can start filming,

the meerkats just pass...
Pshoo!

And it was really, really funny
trying to keep up with them.

But come the hottest part
of the day,

not even the meerkats
feel like running...

...and they take advantage
of a new source of shade.

WOMAN: One under your feet.

MAN: Where did you come from?

You're literally on my shoe,
buddy.

Your friends!
Follow your friends.

It's an unexpected problem
for cameraman Ed.

We're in a big,

open, flat area, so some
of the only shade is under us,

or under the camera,

and it's a favourite spot
for the meerkats,

especially the little pups,
to come and catch a break

from the heat.

WOMAN: Ed, they're
under your camera again.

ED: You've got to watch
where you step.

Every chance they get
at the moment, they're...

...they're just running to our
feet and sitting on our feet.

ED: I mean, you can't film them
when they're underneath you,

but they're super cute.

Definitely not the best thing

for getting all the best shots.

Over time,
the crew's persistence pays off

and they begin to capture
the story

of Maghogho's dynasty...

...by learning to predict
their extraordinary behaviour,

despite being used

as part of the landscape.

VILLA: Sometimes the meerkats
would use us as vantage points.

Just need higher ground

where they will have
a much clearer view

of their surrounding.

There's no trees here,
so we're a good substitute.

VILLA:
They are really wild animals.

You just need
to give them space,

and it's entirely

up to that particular meerkat

if they want to use you

as a vantage point.

Spending every day
with Maghogho's family,

the crew can't help
getting attached.

(CHIRRUPS)

And that makes it
all the harder...

...when tragedy strikes.

You feel the pain.

Sometimes
you just don't want to look.

You feel like you have
lost part of your family.

It...it's just so painful.

You spend all day with
just a few cute little animals

that are happy
playing on your feet,

and living their lives, and...

...yeah, it's a bit sad.

The crew witness first-hand

just how tough life can be

in the Makgadikgadi.

(WIND GUSTS)

And even more so this year,

as the rains are much later
than they expected.

I just wish,
when I wake up in the morning,

there'll be water,

there'll be so much life here,

because animals are dying.

There's no food.

It's just so hot around here.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

Eventually,
the rains do arrive...

(RAINFALL)

...and the crew see how vital
this short period of plenty is

to the meerkats' survival.

Meerkats can cope for months
without rain...

...but as our climate warms,

dry seasons may become
ever more extreme...

...making life harder
for Maghogho's family

and all those who call

this remarkable place home.