BBC Breakfast welcomed a rather unusual guest to the red sofa this morning – viewers were surprised to see an orangutan when they tuned in.
The giant hairy ape sat placidly alongside presenters Charlie Stayt and Steph McGovern, who looked fascinated by their interviewee.
But if you’re wondering why they weren’t a little frightened, it’s because the animal, Beruti, is actually one of the stars of nature series Spy In The Wild which plants cameras inside incredibly lifelike replica animals to get the most accurate idea of what happens when creatures have no idea they’re being watched.
.@BBCBreakfast just had an orangutan on the sofa! #SpyInTheWild https://t.co/DcwAazV6rX pic.twitter.com/UTGp6c1rJf
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 19, 2017
Charlie said: “He’s absolutely fantastic – the idea is he’s placed in the wild with real orangutans so he can mimic their behaviour, and they get this fantastic footage.“Inside Beruti’s eyes is a camera, so he can see and record everything around him. It gives a unique insight into the wildlife there.”
We get all the big guests on the sofa #SpyInTheWild pic.twitter.com/aGjPwawcPH
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 19, 2017
The BBC One series also uses rocks and birds’ nests to hide the cameras and has recorded some extraordinary footage.
Spy In The Wild continues tonight on BBC One at 8pm.