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DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
The Makgadikgadi in Botswana,

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known as "the great nothing".

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

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At first glance,
there appears no sign of life,

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beyond old footprints
baked hard into the ground.

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But this island is home

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to a newly crowned
meerkat queen...

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...called Maghogho.

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

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

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Temperatures can reach
50 degrees Celsius,

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and it doesn't rain for months.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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Yet it's here

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that Maghogho must learn
to lead a meerkat family.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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She rules
over her two sisters...

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...Pretty...

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...and Dragonfly...

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...and three males.

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Together...

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...they have seven new pups...

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(CHIRRUPING)

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...the beginning of a dynasty.

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To raise pups
in a land as harsh as this,

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

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But this group is small

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and inexperienced.

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She needs to unite them
as a team.

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Only then can she raise
these pups to adulthood.

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Only then...

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...can she establish
<i>her</i> dynasty.

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(SNORTS)

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Meerkats are always ruled
by a queen.

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The most successful might
command a group of 30,

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with daughters
and granddaughters

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to inherit the land.

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But Maghogho is just
at the start of this journey.

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Now she's responsible

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for all the key decisions
for her group.

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(CHIRRUPING)

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This year,
there's little room for error.

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The dry season is proving
particularly intense,

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and food on the island
is running out.

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(BARKS)

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It's vital that the adults
support each other.

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Keeping watch
over them all is Pretty,

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Maghogho's sister
and closest ally.

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(BIRD CAWS)

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She scans the horizon
for danger,

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allowing the others
to safely search

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for the food they need.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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Pretty is also mother
to two of the pups.

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Maghogho is mother
to the other five.

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

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other females in their group
to breed...

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

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(INSECT BUZZES)

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(SQUEAKS)

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(YELPS)

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

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That's the role
of the other adults.

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Right now
they should be finding

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the youngsters' breakfast.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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(PUP SQUEALS)

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(BARKING AND CHIRRUPING)

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(GROWLS)

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But when food is this scarce,

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

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Even their father,
the alpha male Thonga Tona,

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is not prepared to share.

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(CHIRRUPING)

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One adult, however,

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<i>is</i> putting the pups' hunger
above his own...

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

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(DISTANT BARKING)

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

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even though
they aren't his pups.

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Being a soft touch
doesn't go unnoticed.

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Now he can't get anything done.

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Maybe he could get Pretty
to help -

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two of the pups <i>are</i> hers.

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(YELPS)

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But Pretty is not
at her lookout post.

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(DISTANT BARKING)

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She's not answering
their calls...

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(YELPS)

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...even those of her pups.

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(YAPS)

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It's Pretty.

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Something is wrong.

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She can barely walk.

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Maghogho
has witnessed this before.

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It has all the hallmarks
of a snake bite.

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(BARKS)

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

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Maghogho must act quickly

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to get the pups as far away
as she can,

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even though this means
leaving her sister.

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(CHIRRUPING)

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The only one to stay behind

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is Thonga Tona.

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Meerkats' bonds run deep...

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...in health

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and sickness.

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But there is nothing
he can do to help her.

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(YELPS)

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With food running out
and a snake on the loose,

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Maghogho's home
no longer feels secure.

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She has a difficult decision
to make.

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In the distance,
there <i>is</i> another grassland.

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But reaching it will mean
crossing a saltpan

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over half a mile wide.

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(GRUNTING)

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It's dangerous.

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There are predators
and there's nowhere to hide.

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Maghogho must decide
if it's worth the gamble.

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She must lead

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and rely on the other adults
to guide the pups.

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This will be a real test
of their teamwork.

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(YELPS)

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(YELPING CONTINUES)

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Coast clear,
Maghogho decides to go.

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And the adults follow.

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

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(SCREECHES)

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A jackal.

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(TRILLS)

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The adults pick up speed...

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...and don't look back.

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(TRILLING)

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(YELPS)

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(YELPING CONTINUES)

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Stranded and alone,

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the pup turns back.

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(YELPS)

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Maghogho and the adults may
have reached the other side,

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but the pups
are nowhere to be seen.

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

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(EAGLE CALLS)

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

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...crushed
in an eagle's talons.

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Maghogho must act now.

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She heads back to the island...

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...alone.

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As dusk falls,

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

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The next morning.

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(YELPS)

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(YELPS)

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Maghogho has scoured
the island...

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(YELPS)

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(CHIRRUPS)

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(CHIRRUPS)

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...but has only found one pup.

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(YELPS)

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There is no sign of the others.

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(YELPS)

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(YELPS)

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(YELPS)

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(CHIRRUPING)

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Now the hope of her dynasty

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falls on
this one remaining pup.

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(CHIRRUPING)

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Her family have let her down.

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If they are to succeed,

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they need to work together...

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...especially
as they're entering

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unfamiliar territory.

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This new grassland
is very different

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from their island.

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(BIRDSONG)

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It stretches for miles,

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and here there may be
the promise of more food.

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Maghogho's first priority

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is to find a safe place

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for her family to shelter.

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This abandoned burrow
will be the perfect den.

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It just needs
a bit of a spring clean.

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There are new neighbours.

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(WHISTLES)

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Not very welcoming!

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(SCREECHES)

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(BARKS)

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(SCREECHES)

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And there may be
real dangers, too.

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It's wise to be prepared.

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Maghogho chooses
the hardest earth

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to dig a long narrow tunnel -

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a deep bunker and last resort
in an emergency.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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

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In this new place, it seems,

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finding scorpions
is a little easier.

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With the pup quietened,

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Thonga Tona can worry
about his own stomach.

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The scorpion is a good meal,

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but it takes a long time
to chew.

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And by the time
the pup has finished...

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(YELPS)

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

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(YELPS)

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(SQUEAKS)

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00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,680
At last, a familiar shape.

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(CHIRRUPS)

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00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:26,720
But, in fact, the pup is
heading <i>away</i> from his father...

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00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,600
...towards
another meerkat family.

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00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:53,560
Thonga Tona has made
a terrible mistake.

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These are rival meerkats,

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and they may kill intruders.

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00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:11,520
The pup is naive
to the danger...

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00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:17,080
...and instinctively
follows the strangers,

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00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:18,760
as they lead him away.

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00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,640
This is dangerous.

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00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,560
Maghogho and her family
are trespassing

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00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:27,280
in a rival kingdom.

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(BARKS)

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00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:34,080
Her alarm call urgently
gathers the family together.

221
00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,640
But Thonga Tona is already

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00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,320
taking matters
into his own hands...

223
00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:55,600
...venturing deeper
into the rivals' territory.

224
00:22:11,120 --> 00:22:13,880
But he's not heading
towards his pup.

225
00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:39,640
(YELPS)

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00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:43,840
He's stealing the rivals' pups.

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00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,480
This is reckless.

228
00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,360
When the rivals
return to their burrow,

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00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:10,280
they realise
their pups are missing...

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00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:12,560
(CHIRRUPING)

231
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,160
...and they're over
with Maghogho's family.

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00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:22,000
Maghogho did not want this,

233
00:23:22,120 --> 00:23:24,800
but now, thanks to Thonga Tona,

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00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:26,840
she must lead her family
into battle.

235
00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:28,440
(YELPS)

236
00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:36,120
These high jumps
are a show of strength.

237
00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,480
But the rivals
are not intimidated.

238
00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,560
(GROWLING)

239
00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:08,480
The fight is short
but decisive.

240
00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:17,040
The rivals have got
their youngsters back...

241
00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:22,840
...and they still have
Maghogho's pup.

242
00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:28,960
But this conflict is not over.

243
00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:34,120
Maghogho is still trespassing
on their land

244
00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,560
and they must drive her out.

245
00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:48,120
Maghogho's family have
one last line of defence...

246
00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:49,760
(CHIRRUPING)

247
00:24:58,120 --> 00:25:00,800
...her bunker.

248
00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,800
As the rivals approach,

249
00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:08,840
they have Maghogho's pup.

250
00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:17,200
Last in is Boipuso.

251
00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,200
(GROWLING)

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00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:27,480
The entrance is so narrow
that he can block it

253
00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,760
with just his head.

254
00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,360
Maghogho's pup
makes a dash for the bunker.

255
00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,640
(GROWLING AND SNARLING)

256
00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:53,920
Try as they might,
the rivals can't breach

257
00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:55,400
the bunker's walls...

258
00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:00,720
...and they have left
their pups unattended...

259
00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:03,640
(SNARLING)

260
00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:12,600
...so they decide to retreat.

261
00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,400
(CHIRRUPING)

262
00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:37,920
The battle over,
Maghogho's family are safe...

263
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,600
...and so is her pup.

264
00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:01,480
It was a close call.

265
00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:08,120
They survived
because they stood

266
00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:10,640
and fought together,
as a team.

267
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,280
But there is one member
of the group

268
00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:21,160
who did not fight
with the family.

269
00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:23,720
Thonga Tona.

270
00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:29,360
His unruliness
is a threat to the whole group.

271
00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:32,040
(QUIET YELP)

272
00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:42,400
The family
will not tolerate this...

273
00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:45,400
...not least Boipuso

274
00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,800
and the other adult male,
Rra Lebadi.

275
00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:58,480
(SNARLING)

276
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:14,600
Maghogho joins the attack.

277
00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:53,160
Rra Lebadi might kill
Thonga Tona.

278
00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,360
But remarkably,

279
00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:06,880
Boipuso steps in to shield him.

280
00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:11,000
(CHIRRUPS)

281
00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:23,200
(GROWLING)

282
00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:29,880
(YELPS)

283
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:33,480
Thonga Tona is lucky.

284
00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:35,680
He's been spared.

285
00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,920
But his position
as the alpha male is over.

286
00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:47,120
Maghogho no longer
wants him as her partner.

287
00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:53,760
Now there is to be a new order.

288
00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:02,240
By scent-marking Boipuso,

289
00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:06,240
she has chosen him
as the new alpha male.

290
00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:12,040
He's strong and loyal -

291
00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:15,040
exactly the sort of partner
she needs.

292
00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:25,760
(SNORTS)

293
00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:40,600
Maghogho needs
to build her dynasty...

294
00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:44,960
...but she has only one pup.

295
00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,720
The rains are now
two months late.

296
00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:56,960
Simply surviving at the moment
is a challenge.

297
00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:13,640
Each day, the search for food
takes longer and longer.

298
00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,880
Yet there is hope.

299
00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:20,000
(WIND GUSTS)

300
00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:25,240
The wind
is a sign of distant rain.

301
00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:31,760
But it also drives dust storms
over the land.

302
00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:33,400
(WIND GUSTS)

303
00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:42,640
The group need
to keep searching for food.

304
00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:45,720
(CHIRRUPS)

305
00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:55,560
Duststorms can change direction
in a moment.

306
00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:57,240
(WIND GUSTS)

307
00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:00,840
(YELPS)

308
00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:09,400
Maghogho sounds the alarm.

309
00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:11,960
(YELPING CONTINUES)

310
00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:18,360
Time to take cover
in their den.

311
00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:22,520
(WIND GUSTS)

312
00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:24,080
(YELPS)

313
00:32:28,600 --> 00:32:29,680
(SQUEAKS)

314
00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:32,000
But the pup hasn't heard
the warning,

315
00:32:32,120 --> 00:32:34,160
and they can't hear his calls.

316
00:32:35,960 --> 00:32:38,760
(SQUEAKING CONTINUES)

317
00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:52,160
(WIND HOWLS)

318
00:32:56,320 --> 00:32:57,600
(THUNDER CRACKS)

319
00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:08,360
As the dust storm
overwhelms the land...

320
00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:15,000
...all you can do is wait...

321
00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:17,080
...and hold your breath.

322
00:33:32,040 --> 00:33:33,840
(GENTLE BREEZE)

323
00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:54,560
Life here is fragile.

324
00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:01,120
Maghogho's last pup
did not survive the storm.

325
00:34:08,520 --> 00:34:11,480
The family could not
protect him from this,

326
00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:13,840
the harshest of lands.

327
00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:22,360
Without pups...

328
00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:26,120
...there is no dynasty.

329
00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:31,520
(THUNDER RUMBLES)

330
00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:47,080
For another week,

331
00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:50,240
the rain clouds
gather and disappear.

332
00:34:57,680 --> 00:34:59,680
And then instead of dust,

333
00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:01,640
the winds bring...

334
00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:05,640
...a deluge of rain.

335
00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:12,880
(THUNDER CRACKS)

336
00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:22,040
Over the course
of just a few days,

337
00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:24,760
the Makgadikgadi turns green.

338
00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:41,600
(BIRD CALLS)

339
00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:47,160
Their world is reborn.

340
00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,920
Saltpans fill with water.

341
00:35:55,440 --> 00:35:56,880
(SNORTS)

342
00:36:02,960 --> 00:36:04,960
To them flock visitors

343
00:36:05,080 --> 00:36:07,160
from miles around.

344
00:36:15,680 --> 00:36:19,400
Suddenly, a land
that could barely support

345
00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:21,120
a family of meerkats

346
00:36:21,240 --> 00:36:22,920
is filled with life.

347
00:36:32,280 --> 00:36:34,680
This is what Maghogho
and her family

348
00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:36,320
have been waiting for.

349
00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:37,760
(SNORTS)

350
00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:45,720
They have hung on
through the bad times...

351
00:36:47,240 --> 00:36:52,240
...and now they have the chance
to build the dynasty again.

352
00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:56,720
(CHIRRUPS)

353
00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,120
Two months later,

354
00:37:18,240 --> 00:37:20,840
and Maghogho
is heavily pregnant.

355
00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:28,840
In Boipuso, Maghogho has
a loyal and attentive partner.

356
00:37:34,960 --> 00:37:38,120
But she also needs food.

357
00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:51,320
Now, after rains,

358
00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:53,720
the grass is littered
with grubs

359
00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:55,720
hatching from the wet earth.

360
00:38:00,920 --> 00:38:03,400
Being constantly hungry

361
00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:06,480
isn't the only side effect
of being pregnant.

362
00:38:12,400 --> 00:38:14,520
(DISTANT BRAYING)

363
00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:18,120
Thonga Tona has accepted
his new role.

364
00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:21,640
He stands on sentry,

365
00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:25,880
allowing Maghogho and Boipuso
the time to rest.

366
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:34,600
But there is a new threat
to the dynasty's future,

367
00:38:34,720 --> 00:38:36,320
from within.

368
00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:43,400
Maghogho's younger sister,
Dragonfly,

369
00:38:43,520 --> 00:38:46,480
the only other female
in the group.

370
00:38:50,760 --> 00:38:53,200
She, too, is pregnant.

371
00:38:58,840 --> 00:39:02,400
The last time Maghogho allowed
one of her sisters to breed,

372
00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:05,720
there were too many pups
for the group to look after.

373
00:39:09,240 --> 00:39:11,480
She can't risk that again.

374
00:39:19,720 --> 00:39:23,520
Dragonfly must be evicted
from the group.

375
00:39:25,120 --> 00:39:26,600
(YELPS)

376
00:39:33,560 --> 00:39:35,400
(YELPING)

377
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:52,480
(YELPS)

378
00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:55,360
In exile and alone,

379
00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:58,760
Dragonfly will struggle
to find food

380
00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:00,960
and look out for danger.

381
00:40:10,520 --> 00:40:14,080
Maghogho is prepared
to sacrifice her sister

382
00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:15,800
to protect the unborn pups

383
00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:19,040
she can feel moving inside her.

384
00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:20,880
(CHIRRUPS)

385
00:41:21,000 --> 00:41:22,320
After three weeks,

386
00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:25,880
Maghogho spots Dragonfly again.

387
00:41:27,600 --> 00:41:29,080
(CHIRRUPS)

388
00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:33,080
But there is something
different about her.

389
00:41:36,360 --> 00:41:38,520
She is no longer pregnant.

390
00:41:41,080 --> 00:41:44,160
The stress of being alone

391
00:41:44,280 --> 00:41:46,840
has taken its toll.

392
00:42:00,120 --> 00:42:03,320
Now she is no longer a threat.

393
00:42:05,320 --> 00:42:07,560
And with a bow to her sister,

394
00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:11,160
she is accepted
back into the family.

395
00:42:27,840 --> 00:42:30,840
The timing is perfect.

396
00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:47,440
Maghogho has given birth
to four new pups...

397
00:42:57,160 --> 00:42:58,400
(YELPS)

398
00:42:58,520 --> 00:43:00,360
...three boys and a girl...

399
00:43:02,200 --> 00:43:04,680
...maybe a future queen.

400
00:43:08,760 --> 00:43:11,920
(YELPS)

401
00:43:22,600 --> 00:43:25,240
These pups are the hope
for the future

402
00:43:25,360 --> 00:43:26,840
of this dynasty...

403
00:43:28,920 --> 00:43:33,160
...and everything this family
have sacrificed so much for.

404
00:43:38,480 --> 00:43:39,680
(YELPS)

405
00:43:43,280 --> 00:43:46,640
Dragonfly may have lost
her own babies,

406
00:43:46,760 --> 00:43:52,040
but her instinct to protect
her sister's pups is strong.

407
00:43:52,160 --> 00:43:53,680
She still has milk,

408
00:43:53,800 --> 00:43:57,320
and even feeds them
as if they were her own.

409
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:07,800
Now, with Dragonfly
as baby-sitter,

410
00:44:07,920 --> 00:44:11,400
the rest of the family
can concentrate on feeding.

411
00:44:26,280 --> 00:44:28,400
And when Maghogho comes home,

412
00:44:28,520 --> 00:44:32,400
she is greeted by a sister
who is now the perfect support

413
00:44:32,520 --> 00:44:34,480
for her and the pups.

414
00:45:11,800 --> 00:45:15,520
Maghogho has everything
she needs...

415
00:45:17,000 --> 00:45:18,760
...almost.

416
00:45:20,920 --> 00:45:23,160
This is not <i>her</i> kingdom...

417
00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,600
...and living here
is becoming more dangerous.

418
00:45:33,720 --> 00:45:38,160
The pups are starting to follow
the adults out to feed.

419
00:45:44,080 --> 00:45:47,920
They are dwarfed by giants.

420
00:45:53,600 --> 00:45:55,840
And hiding among the herds...

421
00:45:58,480 --> 00:46:00,640
...are predators.

422
00:46:02,880 --> 00:46:04,400
(BARKS)

423
00:46:04,520 --> 00:46:05,960
(SCREECHING)

424
00:46:15,440 --> 00:46:17,000
(BARKS)

425
00:46:19,280 --> 00:46:20,920
(SCREECHING)

426
00:46:24,160 --> 00:46:27,160
They would be only too happy
to snap up a pup.

427
00:46:35,880 --> 00:46:38,240
And to make matters worse,

428
00:46:38,360 --> 00:46:40,360
the rival group are back.

429
00:46:44,200 --> 00:46:47,040
Maghogho and her family
need to leave.

430
00:46:48,480 --> 00:46:50,880
She knows where to take them -

431
00:46:51,000 --> 00:46:54,200
the one place
where there are few predators

432
00:46:54,320 --> 00:46:56,080
and no rivals.

433
00:47:01,840 --> 00:47:03,760
Time to take a gamble

434
00:47:03,880 --> 00:47:06,280
and return to her island.

435
00:47:09,240 --> 00:47:12,800
The last time they tried to
lead pups across this saltpan,

436
00:47:12,920 --> 00:47:14,760
there was chaos.

437
00:47:15,840 --> 00:47:17,560
Now she will have to trust

438
00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:21,280
that her family can truly
work together as a team.

439
00:47:29,800 --> 00:47:32,040
(CHIRRUPING)

440
00:47:46,520 --> 00:47:49,200
This time
they stay close together,

441
00:47:49,320 --> 00:47:51,400
with the pups in sight.

442
00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:21,160
Then...almost at the island...

443
00:48:24,320 --> 00:48:26,080
...a final challenge.

444
00:48:29,800 --> 00:48:32,960
The far edge of the saltpan
is flooded.

445
00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:38,600
Meerkats are not swimmers.

446
00:48:40,640 --> 00:48:42,160
(YELPS)

447
00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:59,520
Luckily, it's only belly deep.

448
00:49:11,440 --> 00:49:14,280
Maghogho is home...

449
00:49:17,880 --> 00:49:20,720
...back in <i>her</i> island
kingdom...

450
00:49:22,680 --> 00:49:24,920
...a sanctuary from predators

451
00:49:25,040 --> 00:49:26,880
and rivals.

452
00:49:33,000 --> 00:49:37,360
She is now not just a queen
but a true leader,

453
00:49:37,480 --> 00:49:39,120
with a loyal family.

454
00:49:41,040 --> 00:49:44,040
And crucially,
they are now a team.

455
00:49:53,400 --> 00:49:58,200
They are the pups' teachers
and protectors.

456
00:50:06,280 --> 00:50:08,760
And these pups have the space

457
00:50:08,880 --> 00:50:12,000
to learn to fight...

458
00:50:15,920 --> 00:50:17,520
...to hunt...

459
00:50:20,960 --> 00:50:23,320
...and to bond...

460
00:50:25,520 --> 00:50:29,960
...everything they need
to survive this harsh land.

461
00:50:34,160 --> 00:50:37,000
The dry times will come again,

462
00:50:37,120 --> 00:50:41,240
and Maghogho and her family
will face those times as one.

463
00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:49,880
They may be small...

464
00:50:51,320 --> 00:50:55,040
...but together
they are strong.

465
00:51:07,960 --> 00:51:11,480
At last, Maghogho
has everything she needs

466
00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:13,640
to continue her dynasty...

467
00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:16,520
...for now.

468
00:51:28,360 --> 00:51:31,320
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
<i>Botswana's Makgadikgadi</i>

469
00:51:31,440 --> 00:51:35,440
<i>is the largest collection
of saltpans in the world.</i>

470
00:51:38,880 --> 00:51:41,400
<i>It's an extremely harsh
and hot place.</i>

471
00:51:41,520 --> 00:51:44,160
<i>But in this vast landscape,</i>

472
00:51:44,280 --> 00:51:46,920
<i>the</i> Dynasties <i>team
finds the real challenge</i>

473
00:51:47,040 --> 00:51:48,520
<i>is getting close</i>

474
00:51:48,640 --> 00:51:51,160
<i>to an animal little bigger
than the squirrel.</i>

475
00:51:55,360 --> 00:51:57,160
<i>They have all the equipment
they hope</i>

476
00:51:57,280 --> 00:51:58,960
<i>will get cameras
into the meerkats'</i>

477
00:51:59,080 --> 00:52:00,800
<i>low-lying world.</i>

478
00:52:02,320 --> 00:52:06,600
<i>But filming Maghogho's family
is harder than anyone imagined.</i>

479
00:52:16,800 --> 00:52:17,840
<i>Meerkats can give</i>

480
00:52:17,960 --> 00:52:20,680
<i>any camera team
a run for their money.</i>

481
00:52:20,800 --> 00:52:24,880
<i>Luckily, experts are keeping
track of Maghogho's family.</i>

482
00:52:26,440 --> 00:52:31,520
<i>Local guide Villa knows
the challenge only too well.</i>

483
00:52:32,560 --> 00:52:34,800
VILLA:
It's really, really difficult

484
00:52:34,920 --> 00:52:36,320
to film these meerkats.

485
00:52:36,440 --> 00:52:39,520
Whenever the cameraman
tries to put his camera down

486
00:52:39,640 --> 00:52:41,680
so that he can start filming,

487
00:52:41,800 --> 00:52:43,200
the meerkats just pass...
Pshoo!

488
00:52:43,320 --> 00:52:46,720
And it was really, really funny
trying to keep up with them.

489
00:52:54,400 --> 00:52:56,080
<i>But come the hottest part
of the day,</i>

490
00:52:56,200 --> 00:52:58,960
<i>not even the meerkats
feel like running...</i>

491
00:53:02,480 --> 00:53:05,480
<i>...and they take advantage
of a new source of shade.</i>

492
00:53:10,680 --> 00:53:12,240
WOMAN: One under your feet.

493
00:53:12,360 --> 00:53:13,880
MAN: Where did you come from?

494
00:53:14,000 --> 00:53:15,720
You're literally on my shoe,
buddy.

495
00:53:15,840 --> 00:53:17,920
Your friends!
Follow your friends.

496
00:53:19,640 --> 00:53:23,800
<i>It's an unexpected problem
for cameraman Ed.</i>

497
00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:24,840
We're in a big,

498
00:53:24,960 --> 00:53:28,760
open, flat area, so some
of the only shade is under us,

499
00:53:28,880 --> 00:53:30,320
or under the camera,

500
00:53:30,440 --> 00:53:32,400
and it's a favourite spot
for the meerkats,

501
00:53:32,520 --> 00:53:34,840
especially the little pups,
to come and catch a break

502
00:53:34,960 --> 00:53:35,960
from the heat.

503
00:53:36,080 --> 00:53:37,840
WOMAN: Ed, they're
under your camera again.

504
00:53:37,960 --> 00:53:39,640
ED: You've got to watch
where you step.

505
00:53:39,760 --> 00:53:41,720
Every chance they get
at the moment, they're...

506
00:53:41,840 --> 00:53:43,560
...they're just running to our
feet and sitting on our feet.

507
00:53:45,520 --> 00:53:48,400
ED: I mean, you can't film them
when they're underneath you,

508
00:53:48,520 --> 00:53:50,960
but they're super cute.

509
00:53:53,400 --> 00:53:54,920
Definitely not the best thing

510
00:53:55,040 --> 00:53:56,720
for getting all the best shots.

511
00:54:00,240 --> 00:54:04,080
<i>Over time,
the crew's persistence pays off</i>

512
00:54:04,200 --> 00:54:06,440
<i>and they begin to capture
the story</i>

513
00:54:06,560 --> 00:54:08,160
<i>of Maghogho's dynasty...</i>

514
00:54:09,280 --> 00:54:13,040
<i>...by learning to predict
their extraordinary behaviour,</i>

515
00:54:13,160 --> 00:54:14,840
<i>despite being used</i>

516
00:54:14,960 --> 00:54:17,200
<i>as part of the landscape.</i>

517
00:54:20,360 --> 00:54:24,000
VILLA: Sometimes the meerkats
would use us as vantage points.

518
00:54:24,120 --> 00:54:25,520
Just need higher ground

519
00:54:25,640 --> 00:54:28,600
where they will have
a much clearer view

520
00:54:28,720 --> 00:54:30,200
of their surrounding.

521
00:54:30,320 --> 00:54:34,080
There's no trees here,
so we're a good substitute.

522
00:54:35,360 --> 00:54:36,760
VILLA:
They are really wild animals.

523
00:54:36,880 --> 00:54:38,640
You just need
to give them space,

524
00:54:38,760 --> 00:54:40,520
and it's entirely

525
00:54:40,640 --> 00:54:42,600
up to that particular meerkat

526
00:54:42,720 --> 00:54:45,240
if they want to use you

527
00:54:45,360 --> 00:54:47,000
as a vantage point.

528
00:54:48,720 --> 00:54:51,360
<i>Spending every day
with Maghogho's family,</i>

529
00:54:51,480 --> 00:54:54,160
<i>the crew can't help
getting attached.</i>

530
00:54:54,280 --> 00:54:55,680
(CHIRRUPS)

531
00:55:01,360 --> 00:55:03,640
<i>And that makes it
all the harder...</i>

532
00:55:04,760 --> 00:55:06,720
<i>...when tragedy strikes.</i>

533
00:55:15,120 --> 00:55:17,200
You feel the pain.

534
00:55:17,320 --> 00:55:19,640
Sometimes
you just don't want to look.

535
00:55:22,680 --> 00:55:26,080
You feel like you have
lost part of your family.

536
00:55:26,200 --> 00:55:28,880
It...it's just so painful.

537
00:55:35,840 --> 00:55:39,120
You spend all day with
just a few cute little animals

538
00:55:39,240 --> 00:55:41,520
that are happy
playing on your feet,

539
00:55:41,640 --> 00:55:43,520
and living their lives, and...

540
00:55:45,200 --> 00:55:47,480
...yeah, it's a bit sad.

541
00:55:49,640 --> 00:55:52,080
<i>The crew witness first-hand</i>

542
00:55:52,200 --> 00:55:53,840
<i>just how tough life can be</i>

543
00:55:53,960 --> 00:55:56,360
<i>in the Makgadikgadi.</i>

544
00:56:01,400 --> 00:56:02,440
(WIND GUSTS)

545
00:56:02,560 --> 00:56:04,080
<i>And even more so this year,</i>

546
00:56:04,200 --> 00:56:07,440
<i>as the rains are much later
than they expected.</i>

547
00:56:15,520 --> 00:56:17,920
I just wish,
when I wake up in the morning,

548
00:56:18,040 --> 00:56:20,240
there'll be water,

549
00:56:20,360 --> 00:56:21,880
there'll be so much life here,

550
00:56:22,000 --> 00:56:24,200
because animals are dying.

551
00:56:24,320 --> 00:56:25,760
There's no food.

552
00:56:25,880 --> 00:56:28,240
It's just so hot around here.

553
00:56:33,120 --> 00:56:34,800
(THUNDER RUMBLES)

554
00:56:36,760 --> 00:56:39,920
<i>Eventually,
the rains do arrive...</i>

555
00:56:40,040 --> 00:56:41,560
(RAINFALL)

556
00:56:55,320 --> 00:57:00,120
<i>...and the crew see how vital
this short period of plenty is</i>

557
00:57:00,240 --> 00:57:03,400
<i>to the meerkats' survival.</i>

558
00:57:12,680 --> 00:57:16,760
<i>Meerkats can cope for months
without rain...</i>

559
00:57:18,800 --> 00:57:20,440
<i>...but as our climate warms,</i>

560
00:57:20,560 --> 00:57:23,960
<i>dry seasons may become
ever more extreme...</i>

561
00:57:25,720 --> 00:57:29,000
<i>...making life harder
for Maghogho's family</i>

562
00:57:29,120 --> 00:57:31,400
<i>and all those who call</i>

563
00:57:31,520 --> 00:57:35,160
<i>this remarkable place home.</i>