kathy: How are they protected from humans who would mean them harm?
Mick Kaczorowski: There's not really a threat to meerkats from humans. The threat doesn't exist.

Mark296: What happened to Youssarian? Will he be back? Mick Kaczorowski: Watch the episodes.

fcooke: How was it determined that The Whiskers would be followed rather than one of the other groups?
Mick Kaczorowski: It was all based on the successful leadership of Flower, because she'd been the most successful meerkat so far when we started filming. When we went to the people that are performing the research in the Kalahari, we asked them what meerkat group we should follow first. They said "Whiskers," because of Flower.

thepanda: How do you get the "up-close" shots during the meerkat battles?
Mick Kaczorowski: The interesting thing is when the battles happen, the meerkats are completely oblivious to human beings, researchers and the camera crews. So, the camera people can actually get amongst the meerkats with the camera and just follow the battle. It is truly amazing. When I was out there in March, we had a big battle and the meerkats are just oblivious to the humans and they're only looking at other meerkats and their rivals and how to win the war.

idgytg: How long did it take to habituate these families?
Mick Kaczorowski: Well, there are two answers to that question. The researchers had already habituated the meerkats to human beings. The meerkats of Meerkat Manor are the most studied mammal on the planet. They've been studied for over 13 years. So, when the camera crew came — obviously another group of people and their equipment — it took a while. And I think you'll see the difference between shooting styles and the access we're getting between Season 1, Season 2 and Season 3. So, it's just a natural progression; the longer we spend with the meerkats, the more access they allow us to have into their lives.

Sandieroo: What type of snake bit Flower?
Mick Kaczorowski: Cape Cobra.

lwelchdog: Do you consider humanely euthanizing a meerkat to prevent suffering? Why didn't you euthanize Flower and prevent her suffering from the neurotoxin of the venom?
Mick Kaczorowski: The only euthanization that takes place is when a disease comes into the Manor. Sometimes, because there are cattle around the area and other meerkats in other areas have succumbed to bovine TB, they will euthanize meerkats to protect the whole group because they don't want a disease to wipe them out — especially if it's not a natural disease. So, that's also the reason why they would possibly euthanize an animal. But like Shakespeare surviving his snake bite, no one knew whether Flower would survive — whether or not she was strong enough. That's why they wouldn't have euthanized her.

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