*notcot in tech , 22:49

Tiger - Spy in the Jungle- 03.25.08

elephrazzi1.jpgAre elephants the new steadycams? Or the new paparazzi? (elephrazzi?) Are spy cam technologies finally being put to good use to capture incredible new nature footage? Does a tree trunk rendition of R2D2 really slip under a tigers radar as it rolls around the jungle floor?

Apparently YES! A three-part BBC One series: Tiger - Spy in the Jungle, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough is the latest creation of John Downer who has been recording footage over a period of 3 years in the Pench National Park in India… using some ingenious “trunk-cams”, which allowed the team to follow four newborn tiger cubs through adulthood. Although i’ve captured a bunch of screenshots after the jump (you never know when videos might disappear off the web and we have nothing to look back on!)… you MUST check out the videos over on the BBC page. For our lucky UK readers - the first programme of Tiger- Spy in the Jungle will be shown on BBC One on Sunday 30 March at 2000 GMT

The crew used three types of high-definition cameras, designed and built by Geoff Bell and operated by cameraman Michael Richards:
A remotely-operated trunk-cam, which could film while the elephants were on the move and could also be set down.
A remotely-operated tusk-cam, which was smaller than the trunk cam and could be carried by the elephants for much longer periods.
Log and rock cams - cameras disguised as logs or rocks - which could be set down either by an elephant or human crew member and were activated by motion sensors.

elephrazzi2.jpg

There is also more info and pics of many random animals also captured on camera over at the Daily Mail

Tags: - - -

14 Notes

omg thats awesome.

----- rugenius 26.03.08 02:50

could you explain a bit more about how the elephants and the people work together to place the cameras? Can the researchers monitor the photos and manipulate the cameras remotely?

----- Joan 26.03.08 12:59

yeah, i remember that on discovery. the elephants became pretty aware that the little camera-bots were watching them and started carrying them around. crazy elephants.

----- billermo 26.03.08 15:33

Well, the episode has just aired, it was beautiful. Once again David Attenborough’s voice takes you on a journey through the wonderous miracles of our world. I’m looking forward to seeing the second episode.

Cheers to the crew and a hoorah for BBC’s excellent broadcasting choice!

----- Jeroen, Belgium 30.03.08 12:33

oo this show was so good. The best nature program i have ever seen!

----- Alice fagan 30.03.08 23:37

Hi all, This is really wonderful program. My home town is Nagpur and it is around 50 miles from Pench National Park and I have been there twice or thrice but it is really amazing so see Pench through CAMS. I have never seen pench like this.
Thanks to BBC and whole team.

----- Deepak 31.03.08 23:43

Is this a joke. Some of the shot I can tell were defenetly computer made.

----- Stevo 02.04.08 08:23

Is this series going to be available on DVD - I was supposed to record it for my parents (who are on holiday) but can’t fathom out how to use the DVD recorder! Perhaps I should get a monkey to do it!

----- Mark Rippin 06.04.08 12:05

One of the best wild life programmes I have seen I LOVE it,

----- Jane Pryor 13.04.08 07:02

Hi, also here in the Netherlands (Eindhoven)I enjoyed all the three episodes. And I was realy relieved that the cubs survived as well did their mother. For me it is the best wild life program I ever have seen! Thanks BBC!

----- Jos 14.04.08 05:01

Wonderful programe about wild tigers, watching those four beautiful cubs growing up was truly an honour to see. Also seeing how their mother took care of them, making sure her babies were feed and safe 24/7, was true girl power in my book. I was also trilled to see that a new generation of tigers had been born at the end of episode three. P.S Charger is also a beautiful animal!

----- Louise 14.04.08 08:31

i loved this programme. iv always loved tiger n now alot about them but i learnt al lot from this. I hope they continue by creating another series =]

----- Jenny 18.04.08 10:17

Beautiful creatures and such a joy to see them :-)))
Thank you!!! :-)))

----- Rachel Simpson 20.04.08 09:52

My wife made me watch the first episode and I was hooked, fantastic camera work by the elephants a truly amazing programme. Well done the BBC and Sir David Attenborough putting such a great series together.. LONG LIVE THE TIGERS.

----- Mark Barmes 23.04.08 00:23

Leave a note

(Comments are manually approved before appearing above. Thanks for waiting!)






Design and Concept Copyright NOTCOT INC 2006-2008. Work in Progress - So be nice.