Flashback to Spy in the Wild’s accidentally hilarious animatronic bear-cub camera

The BBC’s nature programme Spy in the Wild was filmed partly through the “eyes” of animatronic creatures placed near real animals in the hope of capturing candid shots because they’re less threatening than an obvious camera.

Our current series Spy in the Wild, showing on BBC1 from Wednesday 22nd January, 9pm. So many awesome moments, angles and stories of the greatest animal gatherings on the planet, enjoy#spyinthewild #bbc #wildlife #wildlifefilm #nature #bbcnature #robswildadventures pic.twitter.com/V1rbMRQIua

— robswildadventures (@robswildadvent1) January 26, 2020

Here’s a good look at the baby gorilla spy.

This is so great.

And I love that they designed the gorilla spy so that it can avert its gaze.

In the wild, if you want to be close to gorillas who have been habituated to humans, a key part of staying safe is to always avert your gaze so they don't feel threatened. pic.twitter.com/ArPuByBTZV

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 25, 2020

One hidden camera, however, caught people’s attention for the wrong reasons.

Spy in the Wild on BBC in brilliant. Clearly they’re using a relative of Nookie Bear… pic.twitter.com/UTQdoS5KRc

— JCE1967 (@ceciljames67) January 29, 2020

The bear looks like Nookie Bear 😂 pic.twitter.com/tXiwbyZCCe

— Sarah Graham (@sarahgraham_art) January 29, 2020

Watching “Spy in the Wild” and when I see Spy Bear this is the only thing going through my mind. pic.twitter.com/oQ8pgUXCUD

— Paul Russell (@PaulRuss2012) January 29, 2020

@scott_mills @Chris_Stark you need to check out the robotic bear found half way through spy in the wild. Funniest thing ever

— Keara (@keara_elizabeth) January 29, 2020

One clip, shared by Elly-Mae Gadsby, demonstrated better than anything the hilarious problem with the fake bear.

This made the girl child and me laugh. A lot. pic.twitter.com/tPSTI8jY1x

— Elly-Mae Gadsby (@EGadsby) January 30, 2020

We tip our hats to all involved, but even they must admit that that’s a wonderful bit of accidental comedy right there.

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There was something accidentally and hilariously NSFW about the voiceover on this crochet TikTok

Source Elly-Mae Gadsby Image JCE1967, Screengrab