0:00:04 > 0:00:06Meet Swift,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08a tiny meerkat pup.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12She was born in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16a dangerous and challenging world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20It's winter, the leanest time of year.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24And this year, conditions are more desperate than ever.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The rains have failed.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Food is scarce, and Swift is hungry.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37The search for food will force her family to take more and more risks,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40putting Swift's young life on the line.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Will she find enough to eat?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Will she avoid being on the menu herself?
0:00:49 > 0:00:51She'll face deadly snakes.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Scorpions.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57And neighbours from hell!
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Her chance of surviving the next month is just 50 per cent.
0:01:04 > 0:01:11Cameraman Toby Strong spent May 2012 following Swift and her family's adventures
0:01:11 > 0:01:13during this make or break time.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I've got very upset meerkats. They're running!
0:01:16 > 0:01:18They're going, going, going, going, going.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20That was a very real danger!
0:01:23 > 0:01:27To survive, Swift will need plenty of character.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30And a lot of luck.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34This is Swift's story.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11It's 7.00am in the Kalahari Desert.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Swift has just woken up.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32She spent the night underground with her family, called the Whiskers,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34in an extensive burrow.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Just after sunrise, they all start to stir.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51The Whiskers are 25-strong,
0:02:51 > 0:02:52a formidable team.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And just like all meerkat groups,
0:03:01 > 0:03:02the boss is female.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Whiskers' leading lady is Enili,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10instantly recognisable from her radio collar.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Enili's only four years old,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17but she's the principal decision maker.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Every member of this family is dependent on the choices she makes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Especially Swift...
0:03:30 > 0:03:32..and her brother and two sisters.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Good morning, you tiny little creatures!
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Cameraman Toby Strong knows just how fragile these pups are.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I forget how tiny they are!
0:03:52 > 0:03:54At just five weeks old,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57they still only weigh as much as an apple.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04These pups have only been out of the burrow about ten days.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07And everything is new.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Everything's an adventure.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Even at their tender age, they've got their own characters.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Swift is a courageous little thing.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Good morning!
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Hello, little one!
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Nice to meet you!
0:04:27 > 0:04:29You let me touch you!
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Of the four pups,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35this one here is the bravest.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40She's always running around,
0:04:40 > 0:04:41on look-out duty.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44She really is a gutsy little fellow.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Swift may be brave, but she's also hungry.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58She's lost five per cent of her bodyweight overnight,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00simply keeping warm.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02She urgently needs food.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08She's still suckling, but she needs more substantial meals.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18With the rains failing, it'll be a real challenge for Enili to find enough food
0:05:18 > 0:05:21to keep Swift and the other pups alive.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28It's about 50/50 that a meerkat pup will make it to two months old.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36It's quite a sad thought, but the chances are we'll lose two of these pups.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Take care, little one!
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Enili leads the family off into the desert.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54It's the start of another long day.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01With food so scarce, she'll have to take risks to keep this growing family fed.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08It's hard work for Swift's little legs,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12but she's got to stick close to the adults or she won't get a meal.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17And every step takes her further away from the safety of the burrow.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Being out in the open is dangerous when you're so small.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Meerkat pups are top of the menu for many predators.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Especially martial eagles.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Some of the subordinate males stand watch
0:06:49 > 0:06:52so Swift and the others can get their heads down and feed.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Swift's cousin Emesto takes his turn.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04His dark eye patches act like sunglasses,
0:07:04 > 0:07:05reducing the glare.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And his eyesight is keen enough to spot an eagle literally miles away.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17All the time he's on watch, Emesto sings what's called the watchman's song.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19CHATTERING
0:07:21 > 0:07:26As long as he keeps singing, the group feeding below know the coast is clear.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Almost everything a meerkat eats is underground.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43They use their exceptional sense of smell to sniff out a snack.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Then it's just a matter of digging it out.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53The adults are like mini excavators.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Their big claws and powerful forearms
0:07:55 > 0:07:59mean they can shift their own bodyweight of sand in seconds.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03But Swift doesn't yet have the strength or skill to do this for herself.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07She's utterly reliant on the adults for food.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10But first, she has to get their attention.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Meerkat pups beg constantly.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20CRIES OUT
0:08:20 > 0:08:23The louder and more frequently they call,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25the better their chance of a meal.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33But with four pups begging, there's intense competition.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44They might be brothers and sisters,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48but when it comes to food, it's every pup for themselves.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Swift has to fight her corner.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54And stick close to a grown-up.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07The hard work finally pays off.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15But this meal is a sure sign that conditions are tough.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's a chongololo, or giant millipede.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Its skin is packed with foul-tasting toxins.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Swift learns to drag it through the sand to remove the noxious coating.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Meerkats only bother with such a bitter meal
0:09:34 > 0:09:36when food is scarce.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Swift needs all the food she can get.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50But eating can be dangerously distracting.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53DISTRESS CALLS
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Something's been spotted.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Swift has to get back to the group.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06There's safety in numbers.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Everyone comes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Everyone's up, all these eyes. Everyone's up, keeping an eye out. What is it, where is it?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Swift and the other pups are as nervous as the adults.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29But it's a false alarm.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Vultures are scavengers, not hunters.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33They're harmless.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43It's a valuable lesson.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46But all the excitement has been too much for tiny Swift.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Falling asleep...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01on his little sister!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23It's the hottest part of the day.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30After this morning's events,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32the Whiskers enjoy some chill-out time.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49It's funny. After an alarm call,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51everyone gets quite frisky and playful. Look at that.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56There's a sense of release, release of tension.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Cat-nap over, and Swift joins in too.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06TOBY LAUGHS
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Bent double!
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It seems the pups have got their courage back.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22This fluffy bit's the microphone, see?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Looks like Toby's been accepted as part of the clan!
0:12:32 > 0:12:33Stay.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37These are all wild animals. So how on earth can Toby get so close to them?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42It's all down to science.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54The meerkats here have been studied for over two decades.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Which means they're completely habituated to humans.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Researchers have meticulously charted every aspect
0:13:02 > 0:13:04of these meerkats' lives.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Slowly but surely the meerkats have got used to humans.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11So the film crew are pretty much ignored,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15allowing them to get within touching distance of the animals.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18They're just part of the landscape!
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I'm so envious of these two pups.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24Oh!
0:13:24 > 0:13:27And a cameraman makes the perfect lookout post!
0:13:28 > 0:13:33I've been lucky enough to film with elephants, gorillas, bears,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36and none of them have ever sat on my head!
0:13:37 > 0:13:39I guess that's a good thing!
0:13:48 > 0:13:51The Whiskers family can never rest for long.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55These lean animals can't store much body fat.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58They need to eat every day to stay in good condition.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02And with four extra mouths to feed,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06there's added pressure to keep foraging.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07SWIFT CRIES OUT
0:14:07 > 0:14:10But Swift's calls are going unanswered.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The adults are only finding the odd morsel,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15and they're taking those for themselves.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22A hungry pup will soon struggle.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Enili must keep moving on.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36But the further they travel from home,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38the greater the risks.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52This is the home to our meerkats.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Behind me are these lovely dunes that mark the northern edge
0:14:55 > 0:14:57that drop down to the plains.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00And that's the centre of the Whiskers' group world.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06One of the main dangers for meerkats is other groups, and they're surrounded.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08You've got the Kung Fu group here,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10you've got Ewoks, you've got Toyota group
0:15:10 > 0:15:12and Sequoia group up here.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Another great danger is the road.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17A road bisects their territory.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Today, Enili has made a decision that puts the Whiskers into real danger.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30They've reached the road.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36There could be better pickings on the other side,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40but meerkats are not blessed with much road sense.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Especially the pups.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Meerkats are crossing, which is really dangerous, because they get hit by cars every year.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54You can't really underestimate how dangerous this road is.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58They'll lose about ten meerkats a year on it.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02When I was here, about a month ago, with a group that were crossing every single day,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05there were three in one week.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Enili pushes the group on.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16What are you doing?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32With the family safely across, Swift has no choice.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35She must stick with the others if she's going to get a meal.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01It looks like Enili's made the right decision.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04There's plenty of food here.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13And Swift is in prime position to make the most of it.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19I can see 12, 14 adults foraging around.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22When they find a grub and want to feed a pup,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24they listen. Who are they going to hear? Swift.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Right in the middle.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29She's the loudest and most insistent.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33All the food comes to her.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43She's had six fat larvae in what, five minutes?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00The Whiskers have found enough food to go round.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02But they've also left themselves exposed.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06This is the territory of a neighbouring meerkat family.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Whilst Swift is blissfully unaware of the dangers,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12some of the adults are on high alert.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18They know if they get caught raiding their rivals' larder,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21the results could be devastating.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27The Whiskers' worst enemies are rival meerkat families.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Resources are limited, and they're worth fighting for.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Meerkats are very territorial.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38They'll defend their patch with their lives.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43The drought has forced the Whiskers ever further from home.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45The enemy could spot them at any time,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48putting Swift seriously at risk.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55We're in another two groups' territories.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00About a month ago, they killed one of the pups.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05So if those two groups meet, there will be a full-on fight.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08And the chances are we could easily lose a pup.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18The Whiskers don't have much choice.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22This is where the food is. They have to take the risk.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26While some keep watch, the rest get their heads down.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34But has Enili pushed her luck too far?
0:19:37 > 0:19:39It's tough going.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Lack of rain has driven the grubs and larvae the meerkats eat
0:19:43 > 0:19:47deep underground, forcing the Whiskers to work for every morsel.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50And catching your meal is just the start.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54You'd better get it down quickly
0:19:54 > 0:19:56or someone will steal it.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03In this tough environment, no-one can be trusted.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17This feathered thief has learned that a group of hungry meerkats
0:20:17 > 0:20:19are well worth following.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27A naive pup like Swift is the perfect target.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30She hasn't seen what this bird can do yet.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Swift gets given an enormous larva.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Exactly what this bird has been waiting for.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13She might be little, but Swift's not going to give up such a valuable prize without a fight.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19It's a welcome meal for her.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Perhaps this bird would be wiser to choose an easier target next time.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34Swift has learned another important lesson about who's who in the Kalahari.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Enili and the other adults are doing their best to look after the pups.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46But this support won't last for ever.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50In a month or so, Swift will have to fend for herself.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53That takes practice.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59She hones her digging skills by mimicking the adults.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05So far without success.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14To work out where to dig, she must use her phenomenal sense of smell.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Swift's nose will become one of her greatest assets.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25And not just for finding food.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31It will be her guide through this desert,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35helping her decipher all sorts of messages hidden in the landscape.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46To a meerkat, every scent tells a story
0:22:46 > 0:22:50of who's been where and when.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59They're spooked by something.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Could be a snake.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Could be their terrestrial predator.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07It could have been a jackal, a caracal, perhaps.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Or a genet slept here last night.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16I've got Swift and two of the other pups right in there,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19sniffing away, searching away.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It could also be other meerkats.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25But we are in another group's territory.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28A group called Toyota.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Each meerkat family has its own unique scent.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35The Whiskers have caught wind of the resident gang.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40This general area, there's a real awareness.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Tails up.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48I've got very upset meerkats. They're running.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57What have they seen?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02They're looking on the ground.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06I think it's other meerkats. I think they've spotted another group.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Everyone's on high alert.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Enili has a big decision to make.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Flee to keep the pups safe...
0:24:19 > 0:24:23..or fight, and potentially increase the size of their territory.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29It's a huge gamble.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Whiskers are here with four pups.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Toyota have some big males in their group.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38If they get hold of our pups, they will kill them.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Decision made.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45They're war dancing.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48This is serious.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Where are they going? I can't see any others.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Whiskers are advancing.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59They're taking the fight to the other group, which I can't see yet.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02I can't see the pups. Here come the pups now.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05In they come.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Bring the pups up. Everyone re-group.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15This display is enough to send the enemy packing.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Here's what I think has happened.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Toyota is a small group. I think Enili leading the Whiskers,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26a big show of force forwards, war dancing,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28the other group's legged it.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32And these little pups and Swift are safe.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36And the Whiskers group has expanded their territory.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Another risky but brave call from Enili that's paid off.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47I think she is a pretty cool cat!
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Over the next few days, Enili repeatedly pushes the boundaries
0:26:04 > 0:26:06to try and keep her family fed.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Food is desperately scarce.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Each day, the Whiskers must travel further than ever.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23If they keep invading rival meerkats' territories
0:26:23 > 0:26:25with four tiny pups,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27sooner or later they'll come unstuck.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Late one evening, the Whiskers are left stranded, deep in enemy territory.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41They're too far from home to turn back.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44They'll have to find somewhere secure to spend the night.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48The safest option is underground.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52At night, the temperature can plummet to well below zero.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55And there will be predators on the prowl.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58There is a burrow here,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00but it's far from safe.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Kung Fu, another meerkat group,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08this is their burrow, deep in their territory.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12And now Whiskers have been caught out by the time
0:27:12 > 0:27:14and are having to spend the night here.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18They won't be approaching the burrow as they do to one of their own.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21They're a lot more nervous. A lot more sniffing,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23a lot more observant.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30There's every chance that these pups will not have smelt this smell before.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34This is your enemy.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39They have to be sure before they commit themselves
0:27:39 > 0:27:42and the pups are spending the night here.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Hold on.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53They're mobbing something.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56They're not happy about something down this hole.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01I've heard there's ground squirrels down there.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04But they wouldn't be doing this to ground squirrels.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Could be a snake. Could be a puff adder.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15I can't see.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20Swift's brave cousin Emesto is one of the first to check out the holes.
0:28:26 > 0:28:27This one seems clear,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30so they all take a chance.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36If I was a meerkat, part of the Whiskers group,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38I would not sleep happily here tonight.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Only time will tell if they've made the right call.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Take care, pups.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09At nightfall, there's a change of shift in the Kalahari.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Many predators start their nightly patrols.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24This African wildcat is a close relative of our domestic cat.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29Its nocturnal vision and super-sensitive hearing
0:29:29 > 0:29:31enable it to hunt even on the darkest nights.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42A meerkat pup stranded above ground would be an easy target.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52But even underground, the family isn't entirely safe.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Venomous snakes are a real danger.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02So are rival gangs.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09DAWN CHORUS
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Have Swift and the rest of the Whiskers come through the night unscathed?
0:30:21 > 0:30:23With the sun close to the horizon,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25they should be getting up by now.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I'm really keen to count those pups up.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34I counted down four. I just hope we count up four.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36They do not want to be hanging around here.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39They do not want to be caught at this burrow.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53First meerkat's up.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Where are the rest?
0:31:01 > 0:31:02There's another.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07The dominant male.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11He's a tough, battle-scarred individual.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16No sign of Swift yet.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20One, two, three, four, five
0:31:20 > 0:31:21adults up.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Come on! Where are the pups?
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Seven, eight, nine, ten. We've got about half the group up.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Pup. It's a pup. Who is it?
0:31:34 > 0:31:35First one.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40One pup with Enili.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42It is Swift.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48And one of her brothers or sisters.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50We've got three pups. Three pups up.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Just one to go!
0:31:52 > 0:31:53Four!
0:31:53 > 0:31:56We've got all four pups. Thank goodness!
0:31:56 > 0:31:59You made it through the night, guys!
0:32:00 > 0:32:04Enili took a big risk staying here last night.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06But it paid off.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11Meerkat families have burrows throughout their territories.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16Thankfully, Kung Fu must have used a different one last night.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19And if there was a snake down one of the holes,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21they managed to avoid it.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29After such a bitterly cold night,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Swift and the family need to recharge their batteries.
0:32:44 > 0:32:50They get up on their hind legs and soak up the sun in that classic meerkat pose.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57They look like a load of furry Easter Island statues!
0:32:58 > 0:33:02Their chests are covered in a fine layer of dark fur.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05It acts like a little solar panel,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09absorbing every drop of warmth from the dawn's first rays.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16A sunny morning is also the perfect time for a little group bonding.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25As soon as two start, the others are bound to join in!
0:33:33 > 0:33:35All this fun has a purpose.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37It reinforces the hierarchy.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Who's above who.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Even the boss joins in!
0:34:03 > 0:34:06For the pups, this rough and tumble is more than a game.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10It sets their place in the pecking order for life.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16It looks like Swift is coming out on top.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Swift is growing stronger and more independent every day.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48She still suckles
0:34:48 > 0:34:50but less and less.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Pretty soon, that source of sustenance will dry up completely.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01Swift and her three siblings need more solid food every day.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Enili can't afford to bask any more.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Enili is leading the group off.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21But once again, the tough conditions force her in a dangerous direction.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Why is she taking them that way?
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Whiskers' home territory is that way.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31Kung Fu group, Ewok group are that way.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36I've never seen them this far into another group's territory before.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39With four pups, that's dangerous.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49With so many hungry mouths to feed,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52it looks like the rewards outweigh the risks.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55For now.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11But Enili must be cautious.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17The neighbours won't be happy, having food stolen
0:36:17 > 0:36:19from right under their noses.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25The group who rule this territory are a force to be reckoned with.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Their arch rivals, Kung Fu.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36Over 30 strong, they outnumber the Whiskers, and are unlikely to back down in battle.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40And there's history between these two families.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Earlier in the year, they came to blows.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47A pup was killed in the crossfire.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02As the Whiskers head deeper into Kung Fu's territory,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Enili must be ready to react.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07The enemy could be anywhere.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12They've now come across a bolt-hole...
0:37:13 > 0:37:16..of the Kung Fu group.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Meerkats have bolt-holes throughout their territories,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24where they can flee as soon as danger is spotted.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32It looks like this one has been used very recently.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37There's a lot of sniffing, a lot of marking.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Hyper-aware,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41everyone keeping an eye.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Tails up.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Super, super-aware.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Enili doesn't like this one little bit.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54She's not willing to risk it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Time to retreat.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59I've no idea what they've seen.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Tails up, backs arched,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04pups and helpers at the front.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Adults...who can fight at the back.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Get the pups out first.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16I've never seen them run this far, this fast.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18That was a very real danger.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19Whatever it was!
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Meerkats are light and very fleet of foot.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Whereas I, with this lot,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27am not!
0:38:31 > 0:38:33I can't see them.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35They're heading to the road.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41In all this chaos, it would be so easy for the pups to get left behind.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Have they all made it to safety?
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Ah.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51OK. Here's the group.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Who's here?
0:38:53 > 0:38:56One, two... Two pups.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Three pups. Four pups.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01All the pups are here!
0:39:03 > 0:39:06We've just run nearly a kilometre.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10We're now right back at the road.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Enili has decided this must be safe now.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20But it's left Swift and the other pups utterly exhausted.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28This pup is out for the count.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32It's just sprinted nearly a kilometre.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36It's got nothing left.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40I'm knackered. Goodness knows how those pups did that!
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Phew!
0:39:42 > 0:39:47Exhaustion aside, Enili has once again made the right choice for the family.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50She's chosen to head home.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06It's been another long day for Swift.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11In human terms, she's covered the equivalent of a marathon on her tiny legs.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16She's narrowly avoided going into battle.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20And she's had to run for her life.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29But she's safe.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31For now.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38The sun is now very low in the sky,
0:40:38 > 0:40:45casting huge shadows, even off these little pups.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Good job from Enili today.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Everyone's fed.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53More importantly,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55she's kept the whole group out of trouble.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Kept them safe.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00And everyone's got home safely.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Job well done for her.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Enili isn't taking any risks tonight.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22In their own burrow, the Whiskers should sleep soundly.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Next morning, the Whiskers are late to rise.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06It's soon obvious that one of the adults is really struggling.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13It's Emesto, Swift's cousin.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17He's been bitten by a snake.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23You can see the mark on his head here.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27His right eye, very nearly closed.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31And that general lassitude, drooping.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Compare his posture to the other meerkats.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Up, agile, aware, light.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40This is a sick, sick animal.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46The Kalahari is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world
0:42:46 > 0:42:49including Cape Cobras.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52When meerkats meet a snake above ground,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55they mob it en masse.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58They have astonishing reflexes and can avoid every strike.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04In the confines of a burrow,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07it's a different story.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Last night, down in the burrow system, imagine it.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16Cobra in the dark. This one takes the hit.
0:43:17 > 0:43:23A single Cape Cobra bite contains enough venom to kill many men.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26This meerkat weighs less than a kilo.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Somehow, he's clinging on to life.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40But the powerful venom is now pouring through Emesto's little body,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43making it increasingly hard for him to breathe.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50Swift and the rest of his family seem aware of his suffering,
0:43:50 > 0:43:52but there's nothing they can do.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57This is a battle he's going to have to fight alone.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Living in such a desolate place,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11they have their own challenges to face.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Especially finding enough to eat.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24The group must head off to forage.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29They have no choice but to leave Emesto behind.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31FLIES BUZZ
0:44:41 > 0:44:43WHIMPERS WEAKLY
0:44:47 > 0:44:50Emesto bravely tries to keep up,
0:44:50 > 0:44:52but he doesn't have the strength.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57Practically blind and almost paralysed by the snake's venom,
0:44:57 > 0:44:59he slowly drifts behind.
0:45:02 > 0:45:08Over the years, I've seen different animals who've died.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12And they tend to take themselves away, on their own.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23This is the grim reality for meerkats.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26They live in a dangerous world.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31Every day they face snakes and other deadly predators.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38From time to time, one of them succumbs.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58Even though they're a man down,
0:45:58 > 0:46:01the Whiskers can't shake the risky habit of stealing from the neighbours
0:46:01 > 0:46:03to feed their growing family.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06But it's paying dividends.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Swift is thriving.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19She's seven weeks old now, and she's doubled in size.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27She's getting more independent every day.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32She can even dig up the occasional morsel for herself.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50But the more time you spend away,
0:46:50 > 0:46:52the bigger the chance of being burgled yourself.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01The Whiskers have been given a taste of their own medicine.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04A rival group's been sleeping in one of their burrows.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08And they don't like it one little bit!
0:47:15 > 0:47:19When they catch sight of something, it really gets their backs up!
0:47:19 > 0:47:22The Whiskers are on the war path.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27Full on war dance. Straight towards the sand dunes to the north.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30I'm presuming it's another big group.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37This is meerkats at their meanest.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39Tails up, backs arched.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42War dancing is a visual show of strength.
0:47:42 > 0:47:47The bigger the show, the better the chance the other group will turn tail and flee.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55Without Emesto, Whiskers are missing a warrior.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00But this time, Swift and the other pups make up the numbers.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03Look at Swift, war dancing!
0:48:03 > 0:48:05She knows what to do!
0:48:08 > 0:48:10This dune marks their northern territory.
0:48:10 > 0:48:15There's a group called Sequoia whose territory borders right on this ridge.
0:48:15 > 0:48:16Maybe it's them.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23If the war dance doesn't scare the intruders off,
0:48:23 > 0:48:24and they end up trading blows,
0:48:24 > 0:48:27Swift and the other pups will be most at risk.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32Whiskers are not happy. They want to see them off.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44These guys are all over the place!
0:48:46 > 0:48:48Swift and her sister right at the forefront.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51That pup knows no fear!
0:48:55 > 0:48:58There's no sign of the intruders.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04Looks like they've realised the Whiskers were just too strong.
0:49:08 > 0:49:13For my money, this was Sequoia group. They're always pushing this boundary.
0:49:13 > 0:49:14Whiskers weren't happy with it.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18They obviously slept within Whiskers' territory last night.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22Swift and the others came over, smelt them. "Not having this."
0:49:22 > 0:49:25They must have caught sight of them for their reaction to be that strong.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Chased them right up over the dunes. They've gone!
0:49:31 > 0:49:36Swift has passed her first test in the art of meerkat warfare.
0:49:49 > 0:49:54With so many close calls recently, the Whiskers are still on high alert.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59When they spot a lone male in the distance,
0:49:59 > 0:50:01naturally they're nervous.
0:50:08 > 0:50:12It could be a scout from a neighbouring troop.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16You get lone males who'll try and come and mate with the females.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20They are very much seen as the enemy and they will be killed if they are caught.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29Here come Whiskers.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32Swift's there at the front.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37They're going, going, going, going, going!
0:50:37 > 0:50:39I've lost them. Got to move.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Oh, that's amazing!
0:50:58 > 0:51:00It's not a rogue male.
0:51:02 > 0:51:03It's Emesto!
0:51:07 > 0:51:10They're back together! They're smelling him, they're scenting him.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12They recognise him.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15Enili, Swift, right in there.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22I can't believe it!
0:51:22 > 0:51:27We left that male bitten by a cobra two days ago.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29I truly thought
0:51:29 > 0:51:31that was him dead.
0:51:31 > 0:51:32I haven't seen him for two days.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35And he's made it back to the group!
0:51:36 > 0:51:38That's astonishing!
0:51:50 > 0:51:52These tiny creatures
0:51:52 > 0:51:55continue almost daily to astound me.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58That venom would have killed ten of me.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01And yeah, he may be blind in one eye,
0:52:01 > 0:52:03but he's back with the group.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06They are astonishing creatures.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Emesto has been through the wars.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20But now he's reunited, he's going to be OK.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22He's a real warrior,
0:52:22 > 0:52:26living proof of just how resilient these remarkable little animals are.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49Winter bites hard in the Kalahari Desert.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Swift is over two months old now.
0:53:01 > 0:53:07Her exceptional family, the Whiskers, have taught her many of the tricks she'll need to survive.
0:53:12 > 0:53:18With their help, she's successfully negotiated the most critical months of her life.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21She's close to independence.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26But she still has one more lesson to learn.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28And this one has a sting in the tail!
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Scorpions.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34A meerkat's favourite feast.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41It's a Michelin-starred meal, but it's dangerous.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47There are species here with a sting potent enough to kill a human.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56The adults develop a natural immunity to the venom.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01But Swift hasn't built up this protection yet.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03She could be seriously hurt.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11She needs a lesson in the art of scorpion handling.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15And, generous as ever, her wounded cousin Emesto
0:54:15 > 0:54:17is on hand to help.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27With a bite to the tail, he disarms the sting.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38Then he hands it over for Swift to get to grips with it.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51With a few more of these lessons,
0:54:51 > 0:54:55it won't be long before she's deft enough to handle scorpions all by herself.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11Swift's is a remarkable success story.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14The odds were heavily stacked against her.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18With the rains failing,
0:55:18 > 0:55:23she and the other pups only had a 50/50 chance of surviving to two months old.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29All four of them have made it.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38They all defied the odds and they're all here and all thriving.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42MEERKAT SOUNDS ALARM
0:55:44 > 0:55:46Because of that.
0:55:46 > 0:55:52Enili spotted danger. No chances. She's been such a good leader.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57Enili has guided Swift and the rest of this group through real hardships.
0:55:59 > 0:56:04The Kalahari is a harsh place to live.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08And the meerkats here don't only just scratch a living,
0:56:08 > 0:56:12they prosper and thrive because of team work.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16Everyone has played their part.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19The Kalahari breeds tough animals.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23And no-one embodies that more than Emesto.
0:56:24 > 0:56:26Struck in the face by a cobra.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29And here he is now.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32He's back with the group
0:56:32 > 0:56:35and helping to raise these pups.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37Enili's still young
0:56:37 > 0:56:40and she's got a long reign ahead of her.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43But when you look at Swift,
0:56:43 > 0:56:48she's determined, characterful, driven.
0:56:48 > 0:56:53I can't help thinking she's got all the attributes of a leader herself.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59That feistiness, the determination.
0:57:00 > 0:57:05And she is the most dominant. When they've war-danced, she's been at the front of it all.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10Who knows? In three or four years' time,
0:57:10 > 0:57:16Swift could be leading her own band of meerkats in this parched corner of Africa.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35It's over four months since Toby left the Kalahari.
0:57:35 > 0:57:40Enili's still the boss and will be for a while yet.
0:57:41 > 0:57:46Emesto's scar is a constant reminder of how dangerous this desert can be.
0:57:46 > 0:57:51But somehow, he's fully recovered, and even has his sight back in both eyes.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56Sadly, one of the pups disappeared in June,
0:57:56 > 0:58:00probably taken by a predator.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02The other three are thriving.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06Swift is now fully independent.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09She's even tackled her first scorpion alone.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12With winter now over,
0:58:12 > 0:58:15the coming months should be a lot less challenging
0:58:15 > 0:58:17for this brave little thing.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Her story continues.
0:58:43 > 0:58:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd