Baffled viewers have taken to Twitter to criticise BBC1 nature programme Spy in the Ocean.
The four part series, which is filmed in the Indian Ocean as well as other locations including Thailand, Japan, and the Caribbean, uses high-tech robots built to look like animals to capture footage of wildlife.
These spycams, which cost tens of thousands to create, were able to swim closer to animals than human divers, capturing unprecedented footage.
However, some viewers were unimpressed by the technology, with some describing the animatronic animals as ‘pointless’.
This is because traditional cameras were also used to capture footage of the robots interacting with the animals, as well as to show off the spycam robots themselves.
A macaque checks out one of the spycams in the first episode of the BBC’s new nature show Spy in the Ocean
One disgruntled viewer took to the social media platform to write: ‘#spyintheocean but there is another camera filming the spy. Doesn’t it defeat the whole idea?’
Another added: ‘Who’s filming the spy’s? Doesn’t this just defeat the object? #spyintheocean.’
In a similar vein, a third wrote: ‘uh, isnt this mostly just normal cameras taking video of expensive (Lic’ Payers expense) “spy” cameras taking a small amount of video of the animals? The spy cameras seem pointless. #spyintheocean.’
And a further Twitter user concurred, adding: ‘When you see the fake animal cameras .. Remember it’s being filmed with an ordinary camera and camera man so…..WHATS THE F****** POINT …#spyintheocean.’
Another similar Tweet read: ‘#spyintheocean So you need a camera person at all times to take video of the animated sea creatures. Guess I am missing something here.’
One seemed annoyed about the episode, revealing: ‘A few things irritate about this series. 1.Its mostly about the animatronics not the anomals. 2.Who films the spycams filming the animals?’
And a further viewer questioned whether the programme was an effective use of resources, writing: ‘So they make models of animals and put cameras in them then film the spy camera interacting with the animals can someone explain why we need both as seems a waste of license fee #spyintheocean.’
However, many viewers seemed delighted by the footage, which captured a number of creatures in their natural habitat.
A number of viewers appeared baffled by the show, and questioned why there were camera operators as well as the spycams
Among the ones featured last night were sperm whales, macaques, wild pigs, and hermit crabs.
Also making an appearance on the small screen during the first episode were puffer fish and a coconut octopus.
One impressed viewer wrote: ‘The people who make the creatures featured in #spyintheocean are extraordinary ! Loving the bond between the real octopus & the spy ; the monkey was cute & the swimming pig just genius. This is fantastic tv!’
Another agreed, adding: ‘Oh wow, Spy in the Ocean is @BBCOne at its best. The Puffer Fish getting a helping hand from the Spy to secure a mate! And Spy Octopus saving its friend from being a shark’s dinner! #SpyInTheOcean #BBC #Ocean.’
Despite the critics, many enjoyed the programme, and were extremely impressed by the spycam technology
A third added: ‘Watching #SpyInTheOcean on BBC1 and the spy creatures have given us such beautiful views and scenery of the ocean.’
And a fourth wrote: ‘The technology involved in creating the spies, is absolutely astounding! #SpyInTheOcean.’
A further Twitter user was equally impressed by the tech, saying: ‘The amount of detail and effort that has gone into making these animals is incredible, even down to the minute detail of the pig’s tail doing a little wiggle #SpyInTheOcean.’
Describing the programme, the BBC said: ‘In this brand new four-part series, an amazing new generation of spy creatures set out to explore the ocean, encountering the ingenious and emotional animals that have made this habitat their home.’
Spy in the Ocean airs on BBC One on Sunday at 7pm. It is also available to view via iPlayer.
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