Hi all. I am a new member to the Forum so glad to be joining you. I was motivated to join as just returned from holiday in the US. I watched an episode of MM over there which included the sad death of two meerkat pups (their names were Len and Squiggy). I always thought I was an adult with thick skin so was surprised by my emotional response.
Upon return to the UK, I tuned in to MM this morning and lo and behold the same episode was on Animal Planet. The pups names had been changed to Len and Stumpy. I put myself through the agony of watching it again, particularly as little Stumpy was abandoned by his family, presumably to starve.
I am aware that the producers of such programmes wish to show nature in all its glory, good and bad. They obviously get up close and personal with all the meerkats on the show. I wondered if any of them were able to save Stumpy (or Squiggy)? I realise that they cannot intervene at all times and indeed it would not be appropriate for them to do so (eg. rival fights, foraging etc.)but surely a film crew to leave a pup behind in these cir****tances could be described as un-natural. Nature has already been interfered with by their intimacy with the meerkats on the show. I do admit to almost being in tears at the cries of young Stumpy. It was made worse as the camera panned back and the young pup was left to his fate (obviously a directorial ploy). What do others think? Am I being overly sentimental or reasonable in the thinking that this pup should be saved? I reiterate that producers should not interfere unless right to do so. I would argue in this instance they should have. To pack up the cameras, move on and leave Stumpy behind does seem rather a callous thing to do.
I look forward to watching MM in future episodes.

it is len and Squiggy, and it was sad to see poor squiggy left behind by his big sister it painful

in the usa,quite often the shows aired are named diferently,[len & sqiggy] r usa versions & uk is[len & stumpy]why that occurs i dont know.also i think other countries interpretation is always different,sumtimes filming is different,all depending when they cut & splice film together.