John Downer Productions
BEE-MAN!
updated
Clip taken from episode 1 'The Tropics' of Spy in the Wild 2.
If you're in the US, you can catch the first episode at http://www.pbs.org/spyinthewild or on the PBS Video app.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
For those in the UK you can watch the 1st episode 'Tropics' of our series "Spy in the Wild" on the BBC iPlayer here:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000dlxj/spy-in-the-wild
Our Spy Creatures investigate the extraordinary wildlife that thrives in the tropics and the events and gatherings that happen across the year. In a magical encounter, Spy Gorilla meets the real thing and becomes part of their family, but will he meet with the approval of the great Silverback? For the first time, our Spy Creatures record how gorillas sing when they are enjoying their meals and in a comical moment, they experience the noisy after effects of their vegetarian diet. In other charming scenes, Spy Grub and Spy Fruit test their intelligence.
In Brazil, Spy Jaguar Cub explores a beautiful gathering of water birds, capybara and caiman and joins Spy Caiman to film a feeding frenzy as its wild counterparts go fishing. Ultimately, Spy Cub encounters a real jaguar and gets a privileged view of a rare romantic moment.
In Costa Rica, Spy Turtle and Spy Vulture gain an insider’s view of the spectacular turtle arribada as thousands jostle for a place on the beach to lay their eggs. To help cover the action Spy Turtle lays a clutch of Spy Eggs, while ravenous vultures lay in wait for a hearty meal.
In Zambia, Spy Hippo takes us into the heart of a hippo pod and is too close for comfort as it films a dramatic fight. Spy Dolphin and a host of other Spy Creatures, such as Spy Monkey, Spy Sloth and Spy Macaw, take us into the mysterious world of the Amazon’s flooded forest. Here, bizarre pink river dolphins hunt fish among the submerged treetops.
In Northern Australia, Spy Bat becomes immersed in a nursery of little red flying foxes and joins them on the wing as they risk getting snapped up by hungry fresh water crocodiles. Spy Orangutan returns to Borneo to investigate the extraordinary bulbous-nosed proboscis monkey and some curious orangutans. In incredible scenes, Spy Baby Elephant uncovers the secret world of pygmy forest elephants – the smallest in the world. In a thrilling finale, Spy Penguin and Spy Seal join Humboldt penguins as they bravely navigate thousands of angry sea lions as they try to return to their hungry chicks.
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
Narrated by David Tennant
#Capybara #Jaguar #Brazil
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In episode 4 ' Spy Whale is joined by Spy Dolphin as they encounter a humpback whale calf in danger of drowning, as competing males pursue its mother. After a remarkable effort from the mother, she not only manages to protect her baby from danger, they both also gain a bodyguard! On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first Spy Camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated and his survival depends on finding his mother. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive – the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#fish #herring #ocean
Clip taken from episode 1 "Deep Thinkers" of our series Spy In The Ocean.
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK. You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In the first episode of the latest “Spy” series, a new generation of Spy Creatures search the ocean for intelligent life and find ways of thinking that must be seen to be believed. The most complex Spy Creature ever built films the owner of the largest brains on the planet – sperm whales. Spy Whale is the same size as a newborn whale calf and is equipped with an array of cameras. It even has a hydrophone to capture their calls. In a magical close encounter, Spy Whale is greeted by an inquisitive female who, in astonishing scenes, attempts to communicate. In a touching sign of acceptance, she even introduces her calf to Spy Whale. Getting to know the greatest mind in the invertebrate world requires a very different Spy – one that’s a dead ringer for the coconut octopus it’s designed to meet. Its subject not only has a central brain it also has a brain in each of its arms. Using its combined brainpower, it works out how best to steal a coconut shell carried by our Spy. Its plan is to use the shell as a door to its hideaway to protect itself from predatory sharks. In another act of ingenuity, it improvises a shield and throws missiles at a rival octopus. It also shows a softer and more emotional side when it gives Spy Coconut Octopus a friendly and lingering embrace. In Thailand, Spy Macaque joins ocean-diving macaques as they forage underwater for seafood. Our Spy captures a filming first as the macaques catch fish with their bare hands. To break open oysters, they also use stone tools including our very own Spy Rock. In Japan, Spy Puffer becomes an artist’s assistant to a male Japanese puffer fish as he crafts exquisite sand sculptures in a quest to woo a mate. When he runs out of the shells to use as decoration, Spy Puffer comes to the rescue, finding shells for the male to complete his masterpiece, enough to impress the most demanding art critic of all – his mate. On a Caribbean beach, another Spy meets the crab world’s most entertaining characters – hermit crabs. They may be comical in nature, but they also have highly developed organisational skills. When they’ve outgrown their shells, they line up in order of size to exchange them for a better fit. All is going well until Spy Hermit Crab loses its shell to a crab looking to upsize its accommodation. The crab becomes the unwitting camera operator as it captures a crabs-eye view of the organised chaos. On another Caribbean Island, a colony of wild pigs embrace beach life by taking a daily dip in the sea. Spy Pig joins their daily ritual as they forage for food brought in by visiting boats. As their ingenuity draws the crowds Spy Pig gets caught up in the resulting feeding frenzy. Back on the reefs, Spy Coconut Octopus donates its shell to a family of enterprising clownfish. In an astonishing show of teamwork, the fish work together to move the shell back to their anemone, creating a safe place to lay their eggs among the poisonous tentacles. In this action-packed first episode, our Spies discover sea creatures with many mind-boggling ways of thinking, but none match those with the biggest brains of all – sperm whales. In more astonishing scenes, Spy Sperm Whale witnesses a rare and beautiful gathering as whale families from far and wide huddle together and exchange information – an extraordinary display of social intelligence uncannily similar to our own.
Clip taken from ep 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
“Spy in the Ocean: Deep Relationships“ premiered Nov 8, 2023, at 8|7c on PBS & YouTube.
Spy in the Ocean is also available on iPlayer in the UK.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
You can also watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Spider crabs rise up from the abyss in their thousands to shed their protective shells but, as our Spy Crab soon discovers, this makes them an easy target for hunting stingrays. But there’s protection in numbers, and those still with armoured shells form a crustation fortress that protects the vulnerable crabs inside. Spy Crab finds itself alone and unprotected and an easy target for the rays.
Galapagos sharks are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. Rainbow chub have another relationship, they use the shark’s serrated scales as an exfoliator to remove parasites. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Spy Moray Eel joins the gathering to explore the incredible hunting partnership between leather bass groupers and moray eels. The groupers find where the fish are hiding, while the eels flush them from their coral hideaways.
Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays & sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy.
Of all the relationships found in the world’s oceans, few can beat the spinner dolphins. Off the coast of Costa Rica, a team of Spy Creatures find out how essential communication is when hunting. Their astonishing leaps are a signal to other dolphins and they use their clicks and whistles to communicate at close range. In one of the most incredible sights ever seen, groups of spinner dolphins come together to form a megapod numbering thousands. As they set off to hunt, Spy Dolphin & Spy Frigate discover a surprising partnership between tuna & dolphins – one that takes them to a school of flying fish. In incredible scenes, the dolphins drive the flying fish from below, while the tuna pursue them in the air.
As storms build in the Caribbean, spiny lobsters prepare to migrate to calmer & warmer waters using an ingenious way of traveling – a lobster conga! Spy Lobster joins a procession of over 50 lobsters as they march in single file to deeper safer waters. There’s safety in numbers & before long they go their own way as some find shelter in a shipwreck.
Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Marine iguanas huddle together on the volcanic rocks basking in the morning sun ready to take on the day. Spy Iguana joins them as they leap into the ocean to search for food beneath the waves. Here our Spy also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish and hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#shark #davidtennant #360
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed it! http://bit.ly/1Adl6ht
“Spy in the Ocean: Deep Relationships“ premiered November 8, 2023, at 8|7c on PBS and YouTube.
Clip taken from episode 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is also available on iPlayer in the UK.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
You can also watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Sharks have a reputation for being solitary killers, but when Spy Hammerhead joins a huge gathering of hammerhead sharks it discovers they can be surprisingly social. This mechanical marvel, propelled by its undulating tail, discovers why they meet together at a remote island off the coast of Colombia. A place where the laws of the food chain don’t seem to apply. Here they take a break from the rigours of the ocean & are groomed by king angel fish. When Galapagos sharks arrive, they are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Spy Moray Eel joins the gathering to explore the incredible hunting partnership between leather bass groupers & moray eels. The groupers find where the fish are hiding, while the eels flush them from their coral hideaways.
Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays & sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy.
On the pacific coast of North America, Spy Tunacrab arrives just in time to witness another rarely seen spectacle. Tuna crabs, a type of squat lobster, rise to the surface in their millions to feed on the plankton that gather in these nutrient-rich waters.
As storms build in the Caribbean, spiny lobsters prepare to migrate to calmer and warmer waters using an ingenious way of traveling-a lobster conga! Spy Lobster joins a procession of over 50 lobsters as they march in single file to deeper safer waters. There’s safety in numbers and before long they go their own way as some find shelter in a shipwreck.
Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Marine iguanas huddle together on the volcanic rocks basking in the morning sun ready to take on the day. Spy Iguana joins them as they leap into the ocean to search for food beneath the waves. Here our Spy also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish & hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#dolphin #tuna #ocean
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
or here in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Spy Cuttlefish takes the title of the most sophisticated Spy ever made; its integrated screen can replicate the changing patterns of real cuttlefish. Giant cuttlefish wear their emotions on their sleeve, or skin to be more accurate. and so does our Spy. When Spy Cuttlefish shows the patterns of a male it is treated with hostility and rivalry, yet when it switches to the patterns of a female it becomes an object of desire among the males. Spy Cuttlefish must rely on its in-built communication skills to disentangle itself from the complexities of cuttlefish courtship. In the process, Spy Cuttlefish gains an insight into what both male and female cuttlefish really feel.
Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives – their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
#Mimicry #Octopus #Nature
Clip taken from ep 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
“Spy in the Ocean: Deep Relationships“ premiered Nov 8, 2023, at 8|7c on PBS & YouTube.
Spy in the Ocean is also available on iPlayer in the UK.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
You can also watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Spider crabs rise up from the abyss in their thousands to shed their protective shells but, as our Spy Crab soon discovers, this makes them an easy target for hunting stingrays. But there’s protection in numbers, and those still with armoured shells form a crustation fortress that protects the vulnerable crabs inside. Spy Crab finds itself alone and unprotected and an easy target for the rays. Sharks have a reputation for being solitary killers, but when Spy Hammerhead joins a huge gathering of hammerhead sharks it discovers they can be surprisingly social. This mechanical marvel, propelled by its undulating tail, discovers why they meet together at a remote island off the coast of Colombia. A place where the laws of the food chain don’t seem to apply. Here they take a break from the rigours of the ocean and are groomed by king angel fish. When Galapagos sharks arrive, they are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. Rainbow chub have another relationship, they use the shark’s serrated scales as an exfoliator to remove parasites. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays & sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy. Of all the relationships found in the world’s oceans, few can beat the spinner dolphins. Off the coast of Costa Rica, a team of Spy Creatures find out how essential communication is when hunting. Their astonishing leaps are a signal to other dolphins and they use their clicks and whistles to communicate at close range. In one of the most incredible sights ever seen, groups of spinner dolphins come together to form a megapod numbering thousands. As they set off to hunt, Spy Dolphin & Spy Frigate discover a surprising partnership between tuna & dolphins – one that takes them to a school of flying fish. In incredible scenes, the dolphins drive the flying fish from below, while the tuna pursue them in the air. As storms build in the Caribbean, spiny lobsters prepare to migrate to calmer & warmer waters using an ingenious way of traveling – a lobster conga! Spy Lobster joins a procession of over 50 lobsters as they march in single file to deeper safer waters. There’s safety in numbers & before long they go their own way as some find shelter in a shipwreck. Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Marine iguanas huddle together on the volcanic rocks basking in the morning sun ready to take on the day. Spy Iguana joins them as they leap into the ocean to search for food beneath the waves. Here our Spy also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish and hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#eel #davidtennant #grouper
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
This final episode explores the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive - the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#ElephantSeal #Ocean #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
or here in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Spy Cuttlefish takes the title of the most sophisticated Spy ever made; its integrated screen can replicate the changing patterns of real cuttlefish. Giant cuttlefish wear their emotions on their sleeve, or skin to be more accurate. and so does our Spy. When Spy Cuttlefish shows the patterns of a male it is treated with hostility and rivalry, yet when it switches to the patterns of a female it becomes an object of desire among the males. Spy Cuttlefish must rely on its in-built communication skills to disentangle itself from the complexities of cuttlefish courtship. In the process, Spy Cuttlefish gains an insight into what both male and female cuttlefish really feel. Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives – their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
#Dolphin #Surf #Fun
Clip taken from ep 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
“Spy in the Ocean: Deep Relationships“ premieres Nov 8, 2023, at 8|7c on PBS & YouTube.
Spy in the Ocean is also available on iPlayer in the UK.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
You can also watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Spider crabs rise up from the abyss in their thousands to shed their protective shells but, as our Spy Crab soon discovers, this makes them an easy target for hunting stingrays. But there’s protection in numbers, and those still with armoured shells form a crustation fortress that protects the vulnerable crabs inside. Spy Crab finds itself alone and unprotected & an easy target for the rays. Sharks have a reputation for being solitary killers, but when Spy Hammerhead joins a huge gathering of hammerhead sharks it discovers they can be surprisingly social. This mechanical marvel, propelled by its undulating tail, discovers why they meet together at a remote island off the coast of Colombia. A place where the laws of the food chain don’t seem to apply. Here they take a break from the rigours of the ocean & are groomed by king angel fish. When Galapagos sharks arrive, they are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. Rainbow chub have another relationship, they use the shark’s serrated scales as an exfoliator to remove parasites. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Spy Moray Eel joins the gathering to explore the incredible hunting partnership between leather bass groupers and moray eels. The groupers find where the fish are hiding, while the eels flush them from their coral hideaways. Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays and sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy. Of all the relationships found in the world’s oceans, few can beat the spinner dolphins. Off the coast of Costa Rica, a team of Spy Creatures find out how essential communication is when hunting. Their astonishing leaps are a signal to other dolphins and they use their clicks and whistles to communicate at close range. In one of the most incredible sights ever seen, groups of spinner dolphins come together to form a megapod numbering thousands. As they set off to hunt, Spy Dolphin & Spy Frigate discover a surprising partnership between tuna & dolphins–one that takes them to a school of flying fish. In incredible scenes, the dolphins drive the flying fish from below, while the tuna pursue them in the air.
As storms build in the Caribbean, spiny lobsters prepare to migrate to calmer and warmer waters using an ingenious way of traveling–a lobster conga! Spy Lobster joins a procession of over 50 lobsters as they march in single file to deeper safer waters. There’s safety in numbers & before long they go their own way as some find shelter in a shipwreck. Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Here our Spy Iguana also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish & hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#iguana #galapagos #nature
Clip taken from episode 1 "Deep Thinkers" of our series Spy In The Ocean.
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK. You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In the first episode of the latest “Spy” series, a new generation of Spy Creatures search the ocean for intelligent life and find ways of thinking that must be seen to be believed. The most complex Spy Creature ever built films the owner of the largest brains on the planet - sperm whales. Spy Whale is the same size as a newborn whale calf and is equipped with an array of cameras. It even has a hydrophone to capture their calls. In a magical close encounter, Spy Whale is greeted by an inquisitive female who, in astonishing scenes, attempts to communicate. In a touching sign of acceptance, she even introduces her calf to Spy Whale. Getting to know the greatest mind in the invertebrate world requires a very different Spy - one that’s a dead ringer for the coconut octopus it’s designed to meet. Its subject not only has a central brain it also has a brain in each of its arms. Using its combined brainpower, it works out how best to steal a coconut shell carried by our Spy. Its plan is to use the shell as a door to its hideaway to protect itself from predatory sharks. In another act of ingenuity, it improvises a shield and throws missiles at a rival octopus. It also shows a softer and more emotional side when it gives Spy Coconut Octopus a friendly and lingering embrace. In Thailand, Spy Macaque joins ocean-diving macaques as they forage underwater for seafood. Our Spy captures a filming first as the macaques catch fish with their bare hands. To break open oysters, they also use stone tools including our very own Spy Rock. In Japan, Spy Puffer becomes an artist’s assistant to a male Japanese puffer fish as he crafts exquisite sand sculptures in a quest to woo a mate. When he runs out of the shells to use as decoration, Spy Puffer comes to the rescue, finding shells for the male to complete his masterpiece, enough to impress the most demanding art critic of all - his mate. Intelligence gathers pace when Spy Sea Lion meets the world’s fastest fish and the sea lions that hunt them. Marlin use teamwork to drive mackerel shoals to the surface only for them to be stolen by quick-thinking sea lions. When Spy Sea Lion takes us on a rollercoaster ride inside the shoal, its camera eyes show how the shoal’s swarm intelligence is pitched against that of the clever sea lions. It also discovers some extraordinary new behaviour as the sea lion gift some of their catch to the marlin. On a Caribbean beach, another Spy meets the crab world’s most entertaining characters - hermit crabs. They may be comical in nature, but they also have highly developed organisational skills. When they’ve outgrown their shells, they line up in order of size to exchange them for a better fit. All is going well until Spy Hermit Crab loses its shell to a crab looking to upsize its accommodation. The crab becomes the unwitting camera operator as it captures a crabs-eye view of the organised chaos. On another Caribbean Island, a colony of wild pigs embrace beach life by taking a daily dip in the sea. Spy Pig joins their daily ritual as they forage for food brought in by visiting boats. As their ingenuity draws the crowds Spy Pig gets caught up in the resulting feeding frenzy. Back on the reefs, Spy Coconut Octopus donates its shell to a family of enterprising clownfish. In an astonishing show of teamwork, the fish work together to move the shell back to their anemone, creating a safe place to lay their eggs among the poisonous tentacles. In this action-packed first episode, our Spies discover sea creatures with many mind-boggling ways of thinking, but none match those with the biggest brains of all – sperm whales. In more astonishing scenes, Spy Sperm Whale witnesses a rare and beautiful gathering as whale families from far and wide huddle together and exchange information – an extraordinary display of social intelligence uncannily similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Pigs #Bahamas #SwimmingPigs
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
or here in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Ocean #Manatee #Belize
Better known for its aggression, rather than it’s sarcastic nature!
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
This final episode explores the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first Spy Camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated and his survival depends on finding his mother. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive - the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#fish #sarcastic #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
or here in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Ocean #Seal #NewZealand
Clip taken from episode 1 "Deep Thinkers" of our series Spy In The Ocean.
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK. You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In the first episode of the latest “Spy” series, a new generation of Spy Creatures search the ocean for intelligent life and find ways of thinking that must be seen to be believed. The most complex Spy Creature ever built films the owner of the largest brains on the planet - sperm whales. Spy Whale is the same size as a newborn whale calf and is equipped with an array of cameras. It even has a hydrophone to capture their calls. In a magical close encounter, Spy Whale is greeted by an inquisitive female who, in astonishing scenes, attempts to communicate. In a touching sign of acceptance, she even introduces her calf to Spy Whale. Getting to know the greatest mind in the invertebrate world requires a very different Spy - one that’s a dead ringer for the coconut octopus it’s designed to meet. Its subject not only has a central brain it also has a brain in each of its arms. Using its combined brainpower, it works out how best to steal a coconut shell carried by our Spy. Its plan is to use the shell as a door to its hideaway to protect itself from predatory sharks. In another act of ingenuity, it improvises a shield and throws missiles at a rival octopus. It also shows a softer and more emotional side when it gives Spy Coconut Octopus a friendly and lingering embrace. In Thailand, Spy Macaque joins ocean-diving macaques as they forage underwater for seafood. Our Spy captures a filming first as the macaques catch fish with their bare hands. To break open oysters, they also use stone tools including our very own Spy Rock. In Japan, Spy Puffer becomes an artist’s assistant to a male Japanese puffer fish as he crafts exquisite sand sculptures in a quest to woo a mate. When he runs out of the shells to use as decoration, Spy Puffer comes to the rescue, finding shells for the male to complete his masterpiece, enough to impress the most demanding art critic of all - his mate. Intelligence gathers pace when Spy Sea Lion meets the world’s fastest fish and the sea lions that hunt them. Marlin use teamwork to drive mackerel shoals to the surface only for them to be stolen by quick-thinking sea lions. When Spy Sea Lion takes us on a rollercoaster ride inside the shoal, its camera eyes show how the shoal’s swarm intelligence is pitched against that of the clever sea lions. It also discovers some extraordinary new behaviour as the sea lion gift some of their catch to the marlin. On a Caribbean beach, another Spy meets the crab world’s most entertaining characters - hermit crabs. They may be comical in nature, but they also have highly developed organisational skills. When they’ve outgrown their shells, they line up in order of size to exchange them for a better fit. All is going well until Spy Hermit Crab loses its shell to a crab looking to upsize its accommodation. The crab becomes the unwitting camera operator as it captures a crabs-eye view of the organised chaos. On another Caribbean Island, a colony of wild pigs embrace beach life by taking a daily dip in the sea. Spy Pig joins their daily ritual as they forage for food brought in by visiting boats. As their ingenuity draws the crowds Spy Pig gets caught up in the resulting feeding frenzy. Back on the reefs, Spy Coconut Octopus donates its shell to a family of enterprising clownfish. In an astonishing show of teamwork, the fish work together to move the shell back to their anemone, creating a safe place to lay their eggs among the poisonous tentacles. In this action-packed first episode, our Spies discover sea creatures with many mind-boggling ways of thinking, but none match those with the biggest brains of all – sperm whales. In more astonishing scenes, Spy Sperm Whale witnesses a rare and beautiful gathering as whale families from far and wide huddle together and exchange information – an extraordinary display of social intelligence uncannily similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Whale #Mauritius #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
This final episode explores the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first Spy Camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated and his survival depends on finding his mother. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive - the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#MantisShrimp #Crab #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
This final episode explores the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first Spy Camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated and his survival depends on finding his mother. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive - the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#pacific #humpbackwhale #DavidTennant
Spy pufferfish is on a mission to find it!
Clip taken from episode 1 "Deep Thinkers" of our series Spy In The Ocean.
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK. You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
and on PBS in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In the first episode of the latest “Spy” series, a new generation of Spy Creatures search the ocean for intelligent life and find ways of thinking that must be seen to be believed. The most complex Spy Creature ever built films the owner of the largest brains on the planet - sperm whales. Spy Whale is the same size as a newborn whale calf and is equipped with an array of cameras. It even has a hydrophone to capture their calls. In a magical close encounter, Spy Whale is greeted by an inquisitive female who, in astonishing scenes, attempts to communicate. In a touching sign of acceptance, she even introduces her calf to Spy Whale. Getting to know the greatest mind in the invertebrate world requires a very different Spy - one that’s a dead ringer for the coconut octopus it’s designed to meet. Its subject not only has a central brain it also has a brain in each of its arms. Using its combined brainpower, it works out how best to steal a coconut shell carried by our Spy. Its plan is to use the shell as a door to its hideaway to protect itself from predatory sharks. In another act of ingenuity, it improvises a shield and throws missiles at a rival octopus. It also shows a softer and more emotional side when it gives Spy Coconut Octopus a friendly and lingering embrace. In Thailand, Spy Macaque joins ocean-diving macaques as they forage underwater for seafood. Our Spy captures a filming first as the macaques catch fish with their bare hands. To break open oysters, they also use stone tools including our very own Spy Rock. In Japan, Spy Puffer becomes an artist’s assistant to a male Japanese puffer fish as he crafts exquisite sand sculptures in a quest to woo a mate. When he runs out of the shells to use as decoration, Spy Puffer comes to the rescue, finding shells for the male to complete his masterpiece, enough to impress the most demanding art critic of all - his mate. Intelligence gathers pace when Spy Sea Lion meets the world’s fastest fish and the sea lions that hunt them. Marlin use teamwork to drive mackerel shoals to the surface only for them to be stolen by quick-thinking sea lions. When Spy Sea Lion takes us on a rollercoaster ride inside the shoal, its camera eyes show how the shoal’s swarm intelligence is pitched against that of the clever sea lions. It also discovers some extraordinary new behaviour as the sea lion gift some of their catch to the marlin. On a Caribbean beach, another Spy meets the crab world’s most entertaining characters - hermit crabs. They may be comical in nature, but they also have highly developed organisational skills. When they’ve outgrown their shells, they line up in order of size to exchange them for a better fit. All is going well until Spy Hermit Crab loses its shell to a crab looking to upsize its accommodation. The crab becomes the unwitting camera operator as it captures a crabs-eye view of the organised chaos. On another Caribbean Island, a colony of wild pigs embrace beach life by taking a daily dip in the sea. Spy Pig joins their daily ritual as they forage for food brought in by visiting boats. As their ingenuity draws the crowds Spy Pig gets caught up in the resulting feeding frenzy. Back on the reefs, Spy Coconut Octopus donates its shell to a family of enterprising clownfish. In an astonishing show of teamwork, the fish work together to move the shell back to their anemone, creating a safe place to lay their eggs among the poisonous tentacles. In this action-packed first episode, our Spies discover sea creatures with many mind-boggling ways of thinking, but none match those with the biggest brains of all – sperm whales. In more astonishing scenes, Spy Sperm Whale witnesses a rare and beautiful gathering as whale families from far and wide huddle together and exchange information – an extraordinary display of social intelligence uncannily similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Ocean #Pufferfish #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
or here in the US:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#SpyInTheOcean #Mudskipper #Japan
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed it! http://bit.ly/1Adl6ht
“Spy in the Ocean: Deep Relationships“ premieres November 8, 2023, at 8|7c on PBS and YouTube.
Clip taken from episode 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is also available on iPlayer in the UK.
---------------
For full NATURE episodes, check out pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes
You can also watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Sharks have a reputation for being solitary killers, but when Spy Hammerhead joins a huge gathering of hammerhead sharks it discovers they can be surprisingly social. This mechanical marvel, propelled by its undulating tail, discovers why they meet together at a remote island off the coast of Colombia. A place where the laws of the food chain don’t seem to apply. Here they take a break from the rigours of the ocean & are groomed by king angel fish. When Galapagos sharks arrive, they are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Spy Moray Eel joins the gathering to explore the incredible hunting partnership between leather bass groupers & moray eels. The groupers find where the fish are hiding, while the eels flush them from their coral hideaways.
Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays & sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy. Of all the relationships found in the world’s oceans, few can beat the spinner dolphins.
Off the coast of Costa Rica, a team of Spy Creatures find out how essential communication is when hunting. Their astonishing leaps are a signal to other dolphins and they use their clicks & whistles to communicate at close range. In one of the most incredible sights ever seen, groups of spinner dolphins come together to form a megapod numbering thousands. As they set off to hunt, Spy Dolphin & Spy Frigate discover a surprising partnership between tuna and dolphins-one that takes them to a school of flying fish. In incredible scenes, the dolphins drive the flying fish from below, while the tuna pursue them in the air.
On the pacific coast of North America, Spy Tunacrab arrives just in time to witness another rarely seen spectacle. Tuna crabs, a type of squat lobster, rise to the surface in their millions to feed on the plankton that gather in these nutrient-rich waters.
Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Marine iguanas huddle together on the volcanic rocks basking in the morning sun ready to take on the day. Spy Iguana joins them as they leap into the ocean to search for food beneath the waves. Here our Spy also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish & hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#conga #lobster #caribbean
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and will be available on PBS in the US on Wednesday the 25th October.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001mp1b/spy-in-the-ocean
and from the 25th October in the USA on PBS:
pbs.org/wnet/nature/collections/spy-in-the-ocean
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#SpyInTheOcean #Hermitcrab #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 4 'Deep Trouble' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK & will be available on PBS in the US in the autumn.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n9qd/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-4-deep-trouble
This final episode explores the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first Spy Camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated and his survival depends on finding his mother. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers. Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks. In the hidden depths of the Californian coast, there are fish that must be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward of rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces. Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our Spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs. Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell it has to think on its feet. Its solution is inventive - the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds. Our Spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to takeover filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus. On their many adventures across the series, our Spy Creatures travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#robot #dolphin #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 3 'Deep Relationships' of our series Spy in the Ocean. Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK & will be available on PBS in the US in the autumn.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b9/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-3-deep-relationships
In this episode our Spies reveal the extraordinary relationships that exist among the creatures of the ocean. Sharks have a reputation for being solitary killers, but when Spy Hammerhead joins a huge gathering of hammerhead sharks it discovers they can be surprisingly social. This mechanical marvel, propelled by its undulating tail, discovers why they meet together at a remote island off the coast of Colombia. A place where the laws of the food chain don’t seem to apply. Here they take a break from the rigours of the ocean & are groomed by king angel fish. When Galapagos sharks arrive, they are welcomed by pilot fish who swim close to their jaws, using the shark as their personal bodyguard. The fish may be dicing with death, but in this place of apparent harmony, none are ever eaten. Spy Moray Eel joins the gathering to explore the incredible hunting partnership between leather bass groupers & moray eels. The groupers find where the fish are hiding, while the eels flush them from their coral hideaways. Elsewhere we discover that dolphins are more sociable than ever imagined and provide more proof of their fun-loving nature. Spy Dolphin & Spy Pelican discover they don’t just play among themselves they also encourage whales to join their games. In incredible scenes they leap playfully together, but in the end a whale is no match for a dolphin. In the Caribbean, Spy Manatee films the uneasy relationship manatees have with remora fish. These hangers on hitch a ride on the manatee’s backs, feeding on parasites as well their poo. The manatees also visit a spa staffed by sergeant major fish. The attention they receive sends them into a state of bliss until rays & sharks appear. These predators can’t resist taking an exploratory nibble from our Spy. Of all the relationships found in the world’s oceans, few can beat the spinner dolphins. Off the coast of Costa Rica, a team of Spy Creatures find out how essential communication is when hunting. Their astonishing leaps are a signal to other dolphins and they use their clicks & whistles to communicate at close range. In one of the most incredible sights ever seen, groups of spinner dolphins come together to form a megapod numbering thousands. As they set off to hunt, Spy Dolphin & Spy Frigate discover a surprising partnership between tuna and dolphins-one that takes them to a school of flying fish. In incredible scenes, the dolphins drive the flying fish from below, while the tuna pursue them in the air. On the pacific coast of North America, Spy Tunacrab arrives just in time to witness another rarely seen spectacle. Tuna crabs, a type of squat lobster, rise to the surface in their millions to feed on the plankton that gather in these nutrient-rich waters. As storms build in the Caribbean, spiny lobsters prepare to migrate to calmer and warmer waters using an ingenious way of traveling-a lobster conga! Spy Lobster joins a procession of over 50 lobsters as they march in single file to deeper safer waters. There’s safety in numbers and before long they go their own way as some find shelter in a shipwreck. Finally, our Spies travel to the Galapagos to discover the rich community of sea creatures that live there. Marine iguanas huddle together on the volcanic rocks basking in the morning sun ready to take on the day. Spy Iguana joins them as they leap into the ocean to search for food beneath the waves. Here our Spy also encounters the wondrous mola mola who arrive to be cleaned by angelfish & hogfish before they vanish back into the deep. Our Spy has one last inhabitant to find…a colony of damselfish. They are meticulous gardeners who work together to maintain their lawns of algae which they use to catch the eye of a mate. To succeed they must dispatch any trespassers. The worst of all are sea urchins who can graze their lawns to the ground. To remove them requires skill and cooperation. It makes a fitting end to our Spies’ ocean voyage. One that shows how sealife is interconnected in ways we could hardly imagine, an undersea world built on extraordinary relationships.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#robot #stingray #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and will be available on PBS in the US in the autumn.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwlp/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-2-deep-feelings
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#SpyInTheOcean #Cuttlefish #DavidTennant
Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and will be available on PBS in the US in the autumn.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#SpyInTheOcean #Octopus #DavidTennant
Premiering in the UK on @BBCOne SUNDAY June 4th, 7pm or catch on @bbciplayer
Spy in The Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and will be available on PBS in the US this Fall”.
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mp18/spy-in-the-ocean-series-1-1-deep-thinkers
#SpyInTheOcean #SITO #DavidTennant
Clip taken from episode 5 'Pressure', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 5 'Pressure' aired in the UK on Sunday 19th February, 2023 at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
In this episode, Mafuta, the baby hippo, is in crisis. His pod has been taken over by a marauding male and his mother must take him far from the river. Kali, the lioness, tries to dig the warthogs out of the den, but the situation turns comical when the rest of the pride gets involved. Lions and warthogs run amok across the plains in a hunt with a surprising outcome. Will the warthogs come out on top, or is this a family Kali can finally be proud of? For everyone, the good times will soon be over as the dry season starts to take hold. The lake becomes a place of refuge not just for the thirsty herds, but also for Mafuta and his mother. Duma, the cheetah, takes the coalition to the lake to hunt. By finally working together they manage to catch a wildebeest but their efforts capture the attention of Zalika and the thieving hyenas. Things go from bad to worse, when the coalition discover a female cheetah and arguments break out on what they should do. They end up fighting among themselves as the female escapes. Duma decides he’s better off alone, but is it the right decision? As the herds move on and dust clouds fill the plains, Bakari leads his troop in search of better foraging. To reach it they must cross the shrinking river and risk a run-in with Magamba. But the far side is no safe haven, Bakari has taken them into the territory of another baboon troop, one the size of a small army. When all-out war threatens the survival of his troop, Bakari realises his last hope may lie with the elephants. On the plains Utani and his pup are foraging for delicacies when a hungry serval strikes – could he have taken Utani’s pup? Nalla is leading Kadogo and the herd on a live-saving mission; they are seeking water. She takes them to the lake, but when they arrive, she finds it is fast disappearing and the water unfit to drink. Nalla must call on all her wisdom to find a solution before it’s too late. As the warthogs wallow in the muddy pools that remain, Mafuta and his mother find sanctuary in the shrinking lake, but as more and more hippos join, their pool begins to turn into a quagmire. As the anxious hippos churn the slurry they find it harder and harder to move. They are fast becoming stuck in a trap of their own making. When it seems it can get no worse, the hippo bull that Mafuta had to flee from arrives. The hippos panic and Mafuta is caught in the muddy mayhem. Will he survive?
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#Nature #BBC #Lion
Clip taken from episode 4 'Dominion', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 4 'Dominion' aired in the UK on Sunday 12th February at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
This programme finds the families of the Serengeti competing for a home. Kali and her pride have taken over Bakari’s kopje. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, there seems to be no escape for him and his troop. But when the lions fall asleep, he sees his chance. At the river, Mafuta, the baby hippo, is also in trouble. The great hippo bull has died fighting for his family and Mafuta’s mother tries in vain to keep crocodiles from desecrating his body. In the ensuing chaos, Mafuta is swept away. His mother realises too late, just as hundreds of wildebeest cross the river and block her path to reach him. Being reunited with her son seems impossible. Further along the river, Magamba, the crocodile, has her work cut out trying to keep her newly hatched babies safe. Her hatchlings make an easy meal for hungry birds stalking the reeds, but Magamba soon shows her power. However, she can’t guard her young forever and must leave them to find food. She returns, still hungry, to find a grey heron ready to strike. Having dealt with this threat, she soon comes head-to-head with Tembo the elephant. Who will end up victorious in this battle of wills? Bakari leads his troop in search of a new home, but blinded by the long grass, they run right into the path of Duma and the cheetah coalition. Previously, Duma had to be rescued from his own wildebeest hunt by the other males and is now desperate to redeem himself. He decides to take on Bakari, but his efforts are in vain. Not only is Bakari a dangerous opponent, but the rest of the cheetahs have fled from the fight. Duma is back on his own searching for companionship once again. Bakari finds his troop a temporary refuge at the river but it’s not without its dangers. The herds soon take over as they arrive to drink. With the wildebeest come the hunters, including Kali. The herds are on high alert, and it seems Kali is doomed to fail. If she misses her chance, will Askari and the pride still support her, or does Askari have a surprise in store? Bakari is also trying to find a meal. He arrives too late to steal Magamba’s eggs and instead finds himself confronted by the pugnacious dikkop birds who have a surprise of their own. When Duma finally catches up with the other cheetahs, he tries to join them in their efforts to mark their territory. As he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do, his attempts to impress are comical, but things take a serious turn when he’s injured trying to follow their lead. Can he fight through the pain to prove himself as a hunter? And will that be enough to win them over? Mafuta’s future is also uncertain. Without his father to protect them, an invading hippo, determined to take over the pod, now has no one to stop him. As the river crossings continue, a half-starved Magamba struggles to hunt. She faces an endless onslaught of hooves and is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of wildebeest. After many attempts, exhausted and hungrier than ever, she has one final chance at success…
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#BBC #baboon #cheetah
Clip taken from episode 6 'Restoration', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 6 'Restoration' aired in the UK on Sunday 26th February at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
In the final episode of the series, the drought is creating desperation for the families of the Serengeti. With the lake little more than a barren desert the hippos are in trouble, trapped in a remaining mud pool with a dangerous hippo bull. Although the elephants dug wells to save themselves from the drought, even these are running dry. Bakari leads his baboon troop to the only remaining refuge he knows – a rock kopje. Here the cool air provides some relief from the searing heat, but what Bakari really needs is water. By accident, his baby finds what they are looking for, but it won’t last for long. Then, on the horizon distant lightning brings hope. As storm clouds gather, rain drenches the plains freeing the hippos from their muddy prison and giving the elephants somewhere to bathe. As the herds fill the plains, two tiny leopard cubs are playing together, oblivious to the world outside their den, but when their careless calls alert the baboon troop, Bakari decides to teach them a lesson. But the brave cubs stand their ground and suddenly the baboons are in trouble. Nearby, Twiga, an adorable young giraffe, has just been born. As he takes his first tentative steps, he tries to control his long gangly legs. He must learn quickly, Kali is on the prowl. Can his mother’s kicks protect him from the hungry lioness? Twiga seems to have a knack for getting into trouble so his mother must keep a careful eye on him, but when an adventure with a new friend leads to more danger, will either of them make it back to their families? Elsewhere, the cheetah coalition continues to take advantage of Duma’s spectacular hunting skills. They steal his wildebeest catch and later leave him to tackle a topi alone, but when he tries to take on an eland, the greatest antelope of all, he faces kicks that can kill. Will the coalition come to his rescue, or will they leave him to his fate? On the plains, Kadogo is no longer the youngest member of the elephant herd as another new baby enters their world. It’s a moment of reverence and celebration as everyone greets the new arrival. Then, in scenes never witnessed before, a majestic herd of Great Tuskers appear, seemingly from nowhere. Among them is the newborn’s father. In an awe-inspiring moment, the tuskers stand in silence as the new father greets his son, before vanishing into the savannah once more, leaving as mysteriously as they came. Mafuta and the hippo pod return to the river only to find Magamba and the other crocodiles have laid claim to the riverbank. In comical scenes, Mafuta’s mother decides to evict them and Mafuta does his best to help. But the peace they’ve created is soon broken when the rival bull returns. Mafuta is bigger now. Do they no longer need to flee? As Mafuta’s mother and the bull share a tender moment of reconciliation, can Mafuta put an end to his own rivalry with Magamba? As all our families try to find peace, distant calls grow ever louder until they build to a cacophony. It is the sound of flamingos returning to the lake. Duma, Utani, Zalika, Kali and Bakari gather as the lake is filled with life once more. The flamingos begin their celebratory courtship dance as the land returns to a place of abundance and opportunity. From the hardest times come the richest times and so the cycle goes on and, in an ever-changing world, the story of the Serengeti continues.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#Nature #BBC #Giraffes
Mafuta and the hippo pod return to the river only to find Magamba and the other crocodiles have laid claim to the riverbank. In comical scenes, Mafuta’s mother decides to evict them and Mafuta does his best to help. But the peace they’ve created is soon broken when the rival bull returns. Mafuta is bigger now. Do they no longer need to flee? As Mafuta’s mother and the bull share a tender moment of reconciliation, can Mafuta put an end to his own rivalry with Magamba?
Clip taken from episode 6 'Restoration', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 6 'Restoration' will air in the UK on Sunday 26th February at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
In the final episode of the series, the drought is creating desperation for the families of the Serengeti. With the lake little more than a barren desert the hippos are in trouble, trapped in a remaining mud pool with a dangerous hippo bull. Although the elephants dug wells to save themselves from the drought, even these are running dry. Bakari leads his baboon troop to the only remaining refuge he knows – a rock kopje. Here the cool air provides some relief from the searing heat, but what Bakari really needs is water. By accident, his baby finds what they are looking for, but it won’t last for long. Then, on the horizon distant lightning brings hope. As storm clouds gather, rain drenches the plains freeing the hippos from their muddy prison and giving the elephants somewhere to bathe. As the herds fill the plains, two tiny leopard cubs are playing together, oblivious to the world outside their den, but when their careless calls alert the baboon troop, Bakari decides to teach them a lesson. But the brave cubs stand their ground and suddenly the baboons are in trouble. Nearby, Twiga, an adorable young giraffe, has just been born. As he takes his first tentative steps, he tries to control his long gangly legs. He must learn quickly, Kali is on the prowl. Can his mother’s kicks protect him from the hungry lioness? Twiga seems to have a knack for getting into trouble so his mother must keep a careful eye on him, but when an adventure with a new friend leads to more danger, will either of them make it back to their families? Elsewhere, the cheetah coalition continues to take advantage of Duma’s spectacular hunting skills. They steal his wildebeest catch and later leave him to tackle a topi alone, but when he tries to take on an eland, the greatest antelope of all, he faces kicks that can kill. Will the coalition come to his rescue, or will they leave him to his fate? On the plains, Kadogo is no longer the youngest member of the elephant herd as another new baby enters their world. It’s a moment of reverence and celebration as everyone greets the new arrival. Then, in scenes never witnessed before, a majestic herd of Great Tuskers appear, seemingly from nowhere. Among them is the newborn’s father. In an awe-inspiring moment, the tuskers stand in silence as the new father greets his son, before vanishing into the savannah once more, leaving as mysteriously as they came. Mafuta and the hippo pod return to the river only to find Magamba and the other crocodiles have laid claim to the riverbank. In comical scenes, Mafuta’s mother decides to evict them and Mafuta does his best to help. But the peace they’ve created is soon broken when the rival bull returns. Mafuta is bigger now. Do they no longer need to flee? As Mafuta’s mother and the bull share a tender moment of reconciliation, can Mafuta put an end to his own rivalry with Magamba? As all our families try to find peace, distant calls grow ever louder until they build to a cacophony. It is the sound of flamingos returning to the lake. Duma, Utani, Zalika, Kali and Bakari gather as the lake is filled with life once more. The flamingos begin their celebratory courtship dance as the land returns to a place of abundance and opportunity. From the hardest times come the richest times and so the cycle goes on and, in an ever-changing world, the story of the Serengeti continues.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#Nature #BBC #Crocodile
Clip taken from episode 5 'Pressure', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 5 'Pressure' will air in the UK on Sunday 19th February at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
In this episode, Mafuta, the baby hippo, is in crisis. His pod has been taken over by a marauding male and his mother must take him far from the river. Kali, the lioness, tries to dig the warthogs out of the den, but the situation turns comical when the rest of the pride gets involved. Lions and warthogs run amok across the plains in a hunt with a surprising outcome. Will the warthogs come out on top, or is this a family Kali can finally be proud of? For everyone, the good times will soon be over as the dry season starts to take hold. The lake becomes a place of refuge not just for the thirsty herds, but also for Mafuta and his mother. Duma, the cheetah, takes the coalition to the lake to hunt. By finally working together they manage to catch a wildebeest but their efforts capture the attention of Zalika and the thieving hyenas. Things go from bad to worse, when the coalition discover a female cheetah and arguments break out on what they should do. They end up fighting among themselves as the female escapes. Duma decides he’s better off alone, but is it the right decision? As the herds move on and dust clouds fill the plains, Bakari leads his troop in search of better foraging. To reach it they must cross the shrinking river and risk a run-in with Magamba. But the far side is no safe haven, Bakari has taken them into the territory of another baboon troop, one the size of a small army. When all-out war threatens the survival of his troop, Bakari realises his last hope may lie with the elephants. On the plains Utani and his pup are foraging for delicacies when a hungry serval strikes – could he have taken Utani’s pup? Nalla is leading Kadogo and the herd on a live-saving mission; they are seeking water. She takes them to the lake, but when they arrive, she finds it is fast disappearing and the water unfit to drink. Nalla must call on all her wisdom to find a solution before it’s too late. As the warthogs wallow in the muddy pools that remain, Mafuta and his mother find sanctuary in the shrinking lake, but as more and more hippos join, their pool begins to turn into a quagmire. As the anxious hippos churn the slurry they find it harder and harder to move. They are fast becoming stuck in a trap of their own making. When it seems it can get no worse, the hippo bull that Mafuta had to flee from arrives. The hippos panic and Mafuta is caught in the muddy mayhem. Will he survive?
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#Nature #BBC #Elephant
Clip taken from episode 4 'Dominion', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 4 'Dominion' will air in the UK on Sunday 12th February at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
This programme finds the families of the Serengeti competing for a home. Kali and her pride have taken over Bakari’s kopje. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, there seems to be no escape for him and his troop. But when the lions fall asleep, he sees his chance. At the river, Mafuta, the baby hippo, is also in trouble. The great hippo bull has died fighting for his family and Mafuta’s mother tries in vain to keep crocodiles from desecrating his body. In the ensuing chaos, Mafuta is swept away. His mother realises too late, just as hundreds of wildebeest cross the river and block her path to reach him. Being reunited with her son seems impossible.
Further along the river, Magamba, the crocodile, has her work cut out trying to keep her newly hatched babies safe. Her hatchlings make an easy meal for hungry birds stalking the reeds, but Magamba soon shows her power. However, she can’t guard her young forever and must leave them to find food. She returns, still hungry, to find a grey heron ready to strike. Having dealt with this threat, she soon comes head-to-head with Tembo the elephant. Who will end up victorious in this battle of wills? Bakari leads his troop in search of a new home, but blinded by the long grass, they run right into the path of Duma and the cheetah coalition. Previously, Duma had to be rescued from his own wildebeest hunt by the other males and is now desperate to redeem himself. He decides to take on Bakari, but his efforts are in vain. Not only is Bakari a dangerous opponent, but the rest of the cheetahs have fled from the fight. Duma is back on his own searching for companionship once again. Bakari finds his troop a temporary refuge at the river but it’s not without its dangers.
The herds soon take over as they arrive to drink. With the wildebeest come the hunters, including Kali. The herds are on high alert, and it seems Kali is doomed to fail. If she misses her chance, will Askari and the pride still support her, or does Askari have a surprise in store? Bakari is also trying to find a meal. He arrives too late to steal Magamba’s eggs and instead finds himself confronted by the pugnacious dikkop birds who have a surprise of their own. When Duma finally catches up with the other cheetahs, he tries to join them in their efforts to mark their territory. As he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do, his attempts to impress are comical, but things take a serious turn when he’s injured trying to follow their lead. Can he fight through the pain to prove himself as a hunter? And will that be enough to win them over? Mafuta’s future is also uncertain. Without his father to protect them, an invading hippo, determined to take over the pod, now has no one to stop him. As the river crossings continue, a half-starved Magamba struggles to hunt. She faces an endless onslaught of hooves and is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of wildebeest. After many attempts, exhausted and hungrier than ever, she has one final chance at success…
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#BBC #crocodile #hippo
Clip taken from episode 1 'Refuge', of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh.
Episode 1 'Refuge' aired in the UK on Sunday 15th January at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dk7ft2
Utani the mongoose is the first new character to make an appearance. His role is to act as babysitter for one of the mothers’ new pups and teach her everything he knows. He gets off to a bad start when he oversleeps on his first day on the job. Things go from bad to worse when he meets Duma and the cheetah family. He and his pup find themselves surrounded. Will the mongoose team come to their rescue?
Emmy-nominated series Serengeti returns to tell the next chapter in the story of our favourite animal characters as they navigate the highs and lows of life on the savannah. Drama and comedy abound as lovable new families join more familiar faces. Astonishing and unexpected stories play out against a dazzling lake full of flamingos, overlooked by towering rock kopjes. But paradise is fleeting. When an enormous fire rages across the plains all must flee or seek shelter, but who will survive? In the apocalyptic wasteland left behind, Bakari the baboon, Kali the lioness, and Mzuri the leopardess must draw upon all their resources to stay alive. New stories are told at the river, starring adorable baby hippo Mafuta and his arch nemesis, Magamba the crocodile. Unlikely friendships are formed while old rivalries are put to rest. Can Kali find peace at last with fearsome Askari? Can hapless babysitter Utani the mongoose keep his young charge out of trouble? When the dry season bites, can Nalla the elephant channel the wisdom of her ancestors to find a solution? Like never before, Serengeti III brings together our favourite animal cast in a dramatic tale of survival, heartbreak and redemption.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#BBC #cheetah #mongoose
Baboon braves beehive in search of honey...but will it end well?
Clip from Episode 2 'Inferno' of our latest series Serengeti 3 narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Episode 2 'Inferno' will be aired in the UK this Sunday 22nd January at 4:35pm on BBC One. Watch this episode and the whole series now on BBC iPlayer:
bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006hmc
In the second programme of this dramatised series, based on the real-life stories of the animals of the Serengeti, more extraordinary events unfold. In the aftermath of the great fire, our animal characters struggle to survive in an unrecognisable and inhospitable land. Amid the choking smoke, Bakari, the baboon, discovers the charred skull of his rival, but that does little to calm the rebellious factions in his troop. Finding a new home is now more urgent than ever. As their quest takes them across the burnt wastelands, Bakari tries to work out how to crack an ostrich egg with comical consequences. When he finally succeeds, he causes near-mutiny by eating it all himself. He calms the uprising by leading the troop to a rocky outcrop with a fig tree that can provide all the food they need. But when a flock of angry eagles attack, his troop is cast out into the wilderness once more. There’s more drama when Bakari finds a bee’s nest full of delicious honeycomb. But it’s a treat with a nasty sting in its tail and tempers flare once more.
When the fire took hold, Kali the lioness found refuge in a cave on her rock kopje but now it’s over, she and her cubs are trapped there when her sister gives birth. They are separated from the pride with nothing to eat and no one to defend them. Can Askari, the pride male, reunite them in time, or will the tiny cubs fall victim to a hungry puff adder?
The fire separated Mzuri, the young leopardess, from her mother and sister. To survive she tries to hunt a warthog. When that fails, she tries catching Utani the mongoose, and the pup he cares for, but with no better luck.
As the rains arrive things start to look up. The blackened land turns green bringing hope for all. Utani takes the pup to meet the warthogs whose thick coats provide a feast of ticks and fleas for the bold. He soon discovers that taking his pup here wasn’t his wisest move. Mzuri the leopardess is having more success, but will she be reunited with her family? When the baboons finally do find themselves a new home, they discover Kali’s sister has taken up residence and is not accepting guests. Can Bakari risk moving his troop in? Meanwhile, Kali takes her cubs on their first hunt. This could be her biggest mistake yet.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#bbc #monkey #attack
***We're very excited to announce our brand new series Serengeti III, which will air on BBC One in the UK, this Sunday at 4:35pm!***
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dk7ft2
Emmy-nominated series Serengeti returns to tell the next chapter in the story of our favourite animal characters as they navigate the highs and lows of life on the savannah. Drama and comedy abound as lovable new families join more familiar faces. Astonishing and unexpected stories play out against a dazzling lake full of flamingos, overlooked by towering rock kopjes. But paradise is fleeting. When an enormous fire rages across the plains all must flee or seek shelter, but who will survive? In the apocalyptic wasteland left behind, Bakari the baboon, Kali the lioness, and Mzuri the leopardess must draw upon all their resources to stay alive. New stories are told at the river, starring adorable baby hippo Mafuta and his arch nemesis, Magamba the crocodile. Unlikely friendships are formed while old rivalries are put to rest. Can Kali find peace at last with fearsome Askari? Can hapless babysitter Utani the mongoose keep his young charge out of trouble? When the dry season bites, can Nalla the elephant channel the wisdom of her ancestors to find a solution? Like never before, Serengeti III brings together our favourite animal cast in a dramatic tale of survival, heartbreak and redemption.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#BBC #Elephant #Funny
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dk7ft2
Emmy-nominated series Serengeti returns to tell the next chapter in the story of our favourite animal characters as they navigate the highs and lows of life on the savannah. Drama and comedy abound as lovable new families join more familiar faces. Astonishing and unexpected stories play out against a dazzling lake full of flamingos, overlooked by towering rock kopjes. But paradise is fleeting. When an enormous fire rages across the plains all must flee or seek shelter, but who will survive? In the apocalyptic wasteland left behind, Bakari the baboon, Kali the lioness, and Mzuri the leopardess must draw upon all their resources to stay alive. New stories are told at the river, starring adorable baby hippo Mafuta and his arch nemesis, Magamba the crocodile. Unlikely friendships are formed while old rivalries are put to rest. Can Kali find peace at last with fearsome Askari? Can hapless babysitter Utani the mongoose keep his young charge out of trouble? When the dry season bites, can Nalla the elephant channel the wisdom of her ancestors to find a solution? Like never before, Serengeti III brings together our favourite animal cast in a dramatic tale of survival, heartbreak and redemption.
Narrated by Adjoa Andoh
Created & Produced by Simon Fuller
Directed & Produced by John Downer
#Serengeti #BBC #Nature
Clip from our BBC/PBS series Pets Wild at Heart.
First Premiered Wednesday 28th January, 2015 on BBC 1.
Narrated by David Tennant
Series Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
Subscribe now to our channel and see more clips from Pets - Wild at Heart including:
Puppy Love - The Cute Puppy Adopted by a Cat:
youtube.com/watch?v=JKh0VKGdAAA
Ninja Hamster - Golden Hamster Stealthily Escapes his Cage:
youtube.com/watch?v=26AfGqeSEQ0
Underwater Diving Dogs:
youtube.com/watch?v=y1WrhUB6WtE
RoboSpy Otter comes alive to get up close and personal with the real sea otters.
Clip from episode 5 'Meet the Spies' of our new 5 part series "Spy in the Wild"
If you’re in the US, watch "Spy in the Wild" on PBS youtu.be/vEHEEEgsJic
Narrated by David Tennant
Series Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
SPY IN THE WILD, A NATURE MINISERIES, a John Downer Production for BBC, PBS and THIRTEEN Productions LLC
Watch more clips from Spy in the Wild, including this incredibly tender moment between a chimpanzee and genet kitten from programme 1 'Love':
youtube.com/watch?v=tw5u835KBl8
Follow John Downer Productions:
Twitter twitter.com/JohnDownerProd
Facebook facebook.com/JohnDownerProductions
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#spy #robot #nature
Clip from episode 5 'Meet the Spies' of our new 5 part series "Spy in the Wild"
If you’re in the US, watch "Spy in the Wild" on PBS youtu.be/vEHEEEgsJic
Narrated by David Tennant
Series Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
SPY IN THE WILD, A NATURE MINISERIES, a John Downer Production for BBC, PBS and THIRTEEN Productions LLC
Watch more clips from Spy in the Wild, including this incredibly tender moment between a chimpanzee and genet kitten from programme 1 'Love':
youtube.com/watch?v=tw5u835KBl8
Follow John Downer Productions:
Twitter twitter.com/JohnDownerProd
Facebook facebook.com/JohnDownerProductions
Instagram instagram.com/johndownerproductions
#spy #robot #nature
What happens when they first meet Spy Orangutan?
In one of the most innovative natural history series ever presented, Spy in the Wild deploys over 30 ultra-realistic animatronic Spy Creatures to go undercover in the animal world. This 5 x 60’ BBC One series captures unique animal behaviour closer than ever before.
Using special “spy cameras” invented by film maker John Downer’s team at John Downer Productions, the viewer is plunged into the very heart of the extraordinary lives of over thirty fascinating animals across the world, including langurs, orang-utans, meerkats and crocodiles, revealing behaviour that is remarkably like our own. To expose some of the most astonishing animal behaviour ever seen, the team of Spy Creatures go undercover.
These robotic look-alikes make all the right moves to not only be accepted by animals but also interact with them, providing revelatory insights into their world.
In this four part series, each episode is packed with a menagerie of animatronic Spy Creatures exploring the different aspects of animal behaviour: Love, Intelligence, Friendships and Mischief.
The innovative techniques and ambition of the BBC One series are documented in the fifth “Making Of” episode, where we see the creation of the Spy Creatures and witness their first magical moves before being deployed around the world; from deserts and rainforests to the Polar Regions.
Clip taken from episode 2 'The North' of the second series of 'Spy in the Wild', narrated by David Tennant.
*** Buy Spy in the Wild on DVD or Blu-ray now (UK): ***
http://amzn.to/2Dr6zZa (Affiliate link)
↑↑And don't forget if you liked this video you can now show your appreciation by clicking on 'Thanks' above. ↑↑
Spy in the Wild is back in one of the most innovative natural history series ever presented. This time it deploys over 50 ultra-realistic animatronic Spy Creatures to go undercover across every region of the world. The 4 x 60 BBC One series captures some of the most extraordinary animal behaviour ever seen, filmed from inside the animal world.
Using special state-of-the-art 4k resolution “Spy Creatures” the viewer is plunged into the very heart of the extraordinary lives of over 40 remarkable animals. They reveal previously unseen behaviour as animals gather, feed, fight and breed in among some of the greatest wildlife gatherings ever witnessed. This team of hyper-real Spy Creatures not only look like the animals they film, they behave like them too. Accepted by the families, these robotic look-alikes can not only film from an intimate perspective they also interact with the animals and so gain revelatory insights into their worlds.
Each episode explores a different climatic region of the world and is packed with its own menagerie of animatronic Spy Creatures and extraordinary animal subjects. They discover how the animals have adapted their behaviour to not only cope, but often flourish, wherever they live. At times, their subjects occur in incredible numbers creating astonishing gatherings, found nowhere else on earth. From the hot and humid Tropics, to the freezing Poles, the seasonal North and the world’s most spectacular Islands, this new series of Spy in the Wild will transport the audience deeper into the animal world than ever thought possible.
Narrated by David Tennant
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
#davidtennant #snake #bbc
*** Buy Spy in the Wild on DVD or Blu-ray now (UK): ***
http://amzn.to/2Dr6zZa (Affiliate link)
↑↑And don't forget if you liked this video you can now show your appreciation by clicking on 'Thanks' above. ↑↑
Clip from programme 1 'Love' of our BBC & PBS/THIRTEEN Productions LLC series Spy in the Wild.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
Follow John Downer Productions:
Twitter twitter.com/JohnDownerProd
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Among the crowds is Robot Spy Rockhoppper...who deploys his secret weapon to get even closer to the penguins...EGGCAM!
↑↑If you like this video don't forget you can now show your appreciation by clicking on 'Thanks' above. ↑↑
With their feisty nature, penguins are bringing up their young against the most extraordinary odds. Penguins – Spy in the Huddle spends nearly a year in their close company, deploying 50 spycams to capture as never before the true character of three very different, yet equally charismatic, birds. This is what it’s really like to be a penguin.
From the freezing ice to the scorching desert, the team that brought you the award-winning Polar Bear – Spy on the Ice now reveals the intimate behaviour of nature’s most devoted parents – from emperor penguins in Antarctica, rockhopper penguins on the Falkland Islands and Humboldt penguins in the Atacama Desert of Peru.
Key to the success of the spycam missions are the animatronic cameras cleverly disguised as lifesize penguins which can silently infiltrate the colonies to record the penguins’ often emotional, and sometimes amusing, behaviour. They’re on hand to chart the tough challenges these penguins face from the moment they emerge from the sea to raising their chicks and finally returning to the water.
Penguins – Spy in the Huddle takes you closer to penguins than ever before.
Clip taken from our series: Penguins - Spy in the Huddle (Waddle all the Way)
Narrated by David Tennant
Penguins - Waddle all the Way with original narration can be downloaded in the U.S. on iTunes. Visit: http://bit.ly/19gHipP
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#RobotSpyPenguins #DavidTennant #Rockhopper
The winter is soon to set in. So the beavers are busy beavering a way collecting food and nesting material while their lodge undergoes maintenance. Spy Beaver as always is there to get an up close and personal perspective on their daily lives.
Clip taken from episode 2 'The North' of the second series of 'Spy in the Wild', narrated by David Tennant.
Catch up on the series on the BBC iPlayer here: bbc.co.uk/…/episodes/m000dlxj/spy-in-the-wild
or buy the DVD/Blu-ray at Amazon:
amzn.to/3IOILuY
Spy in the Wild is back in one of the most innovative natural history series ever presented. This time it deploys over 50 ultra-realistic animatronic Spy Creatures to go undercover across every region of the world. The 4 x 60 BBC One series captures some of the most extraordinary animal behaviour ever seen, filmed from inside the animal world.
Using special state-of-the-art 4k resolution “Spy Creatures” the viewer is plunged into the very heart of the extraordinary lives of over 40 remarkable animals. They reveal previously unseen behaviour as animals gather, feed, fight and breed in among some of the greatest wildlife gatherings ever witnessed. This team of hyper-real Spy Creatures not only look like the animals they film, they behave like them too. Accepted by the families, these robotic look-alikes can not only film from an intimate perspective they also interact with the animals and so gain revelatory insights into their worlds.
Each episode explores a different climatic region of the world and is packed with its own menagerie of animatronic Spy Creatures and extraordinary animal subjects. They discover how the animals have adapted their behaviour to not only cope, but often flourish, wherever they live. At times, their subjects occur in incredible numbers creating astonishing gatherings, found nowhere else on earth. From the hot and humid Tropics, to the freezing Poles, the seasonal North and the world’s most spectacular Islands, this new series of Spy in the Wild will transport the audience deeper into the animal world than ever thought possible.
Narrated by David Tennant
Directed by John Downer
Music by Will Gregory
↑↑If you like this video don't forget you can now show your appreciation by clicking on 'Thanks' above. ↑↑
There are 4 different animations you can purchase. The one time animation will be shown to the purchaser over the top of the channel’s video. As an added bonus the purchaser will get a distinct colourful comment that says “Thanks!” in the video’s comment section, so this is an amazing way for our fans to stand out from the crowd and be recognised for your loyalty to our channel.
#RobotSpyBeaver #DavidTennant #Muskrat


