BBC Breakfast had a special guest with a difference this morning – an animatronic orangutan.
Named Beruti, the robotic primate was built for wildlife documentary series Spy in the Wild.
.@BBCBreakfast just had an orangutan on the sofa! #SpyInTheWild https://t.co/DcwAazV6rX pic.twitter.com/UTGp6c1rJf
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 19, 2017
The incredibly realistic model is all a disguise for hidden cameras inside which can capture amazing footage of animals in the wild.
When Beruti is placed in the wild with real orangutans they, just like many viewers of this morning’s show, think she is the real deal!
There's an orangutan Terminator on BBC News at the moment.
— Dan Fairs (@danfairs) January 19, 2017
@BBCBreakfast Thank goodness it was Spy #Orangutan,a "robot."I'm sure some viewers thought she was a live #greatape as she is so realistic
— Birute Mary Galdikas (@DrBirute) January 19, 2017
Cool. I think this orangutan was in my house this morning. Got my facial expressions down. #januarymorning https://t.co/qtWBYiX0rp
— Clare Fildes (@paffynavigator) January 19, 2017
The second episode of Spy in the Wild airs tonight on BBC One and features stunning footage of wild orangutans using saws to cut branches in half.
The animals had learned the impressive craftmanship from watching builders at work in Borneo, where the footage was captured.
Tonight’s episode also shows how the real-life female orangutans react to meeting Beruti.
Spy in the Wild, 8pm, BBC One
READ MORE: ‘11th hour’ in struggle to prevent ‘mass extinctions’ of primates
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