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Meerkat Manor
Flower Memorial

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mick kaczorowski
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ILVMRKTMNR: Would related meerkats in different groups fight/kill each other?
Mick Kaczorowski: Well, once you join a different group and you're part of a group, you most likely will fight along with that group.

sanz: How do you keep track of which meerkat is which?
Mick Kaczorowski: Well, specifically it's the researchers that know who every meerkat is. And when you see the little markings on their tails or some of the black circles, those are markings put on by the researchers and that's a little hair dye so at a distance they know which meerkat is which. Unfortunately, the markings will stay on as long as hair dye stays on, so they constantly have to re-dye them and sometimes the markings don't end up in the same place or look the same from year to year.

benj: What's the hardest or most difficult aspect of filming the series?
Mick Kaczorowski: I think it's a combination of the heat of the Kalahari and having the cameraman sit at eye level all day filming the meerkats, who are only 12 inches tall. So, if you can imagine what it's like to be just face-down in the sand, looking through a camera eyepiece in 100 degree heat, you'll know how difficult it is.

Cilla: Who's your favorite meerkat?
Mick Kaczorowski: I have several favorite meerkats I would say. Like everyone else, Shakespeare was my favorite from Season 1. Flower has always been one of my favorite meerkats, for her persistence and her leadership. And I'm really sort of looking to see whether Mitch sort of rises up and takes over. He had some of the same attributes as Shakespeare.

Peachy: This seems like the climax of the series — are there any more big surprises in store for the remainder of the season?
Mick Kaczorowski: I have to say, yes, there are some more surprises. And, although I can't tell you all of them, I think you'll see in the next upcoming episodes some remarkable transitions taking place with the Whiskers and all the other groups in the Manor.

durango58: Flower's described as such an incredible matriarch — what makes her stand out from the rest?
Mick Kaczorowski: The longevity of her reign. And her ability to lead a group of sometimes over 40 meerkats in one of the harshest places on the planet: the Kalahari.

CONTINUED »

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