David Attenborough's film crew broke one major rule after spotting huge problem filming sea lions

Legendary Broadcaster Turns 98 Today

Updated at 4:48 PM on May 8th, 2024 in GMT+1. Published at 4:47 PM on May 8th, 2024 in GMT+1.

Celebrate Sir David Attenborough's 98th birthday by cracking open a bottle of bubbly and making a toast.

For many years, the well-known presenter has been showing us the marvels of nature and giving us the opportunity to witness the daily experiences of all types of creatures, no matter their size.

He has started to encourage us to take greater action in safeguarding the environment from disastrous climate change. This phenomenon is causing severe damage to the magnificent natural locations, and we can no longer disregard its consequences.

We must admit that many of the animal sounds in Attenborough's programs are incorporated in post-production. However, imagine trying to attach microphones to a group of hyenas. It would not be an easy task!

Although the teams creating his programs display remarkable talent in showcasing the wonders of the environment on our televisions, Attenborough's crew committed a significant violation while filming with sea lions.

Today marks the 98th birthday of the esteemed Sir David Attenborough. (Image credit: Rob Pinney/Getty Images)

In addition to showcasing incredibly magnificent views, the programs of Sir David Attenborough also feature the raw and explicit aspects of the animal kingdom.

You will witness a lot of creatures chasing and attacking one another in his programs, as they battle each other for food and power by ripping bits off each other.

When faced with such circumstances, the team has certain actions they can take and guidelines they must follow.

In nature documentaries, one major mistake is to intervene since the objective is to allow nature to follow its natural course. Although the old chimpanzee may be undergoing severe beating, the filmmakers must avoid stepping in to prevent it because it violates the rules. Although they may have sympathy for the animal, it's crucial to maintain a hands-off approach.

Nonetheless, regarding the sea lions, the team violated the regulation of non-intervention for a justified motive, as it was solely our responsibility.

During the filming of an installment of Planet Earth III, the team embarked on a mission to save a group of sea lions who were tragically trapped in fishing nets. Series producer Matt Brandon expressed the importance of not avoiding or ignoring the negative consequences that humanity has had on our environment.

In another episode, the team assisted heat-exposed turtles in reaching the ocean.

The team of Planet Earth III came forward to aid sea lions that had been entangled in fishing nets since humans are responsible for it. (BBC)

Attenborough's film crews have broken this important rule on multiple occasions, not just this one time.

The penguin episode of the TV series Dynasties had a widely renowned scene where a group of penguins were stuck in a ravine without any means of escaping. It was a heartbreaking moment for the creatures.

The crew couldn't bear to see some of the penguins perish due to the cold weather, so they decided to take action and save them. This was an unusual and unexpected move by the crew, but they knew they had to do something to prevent further loss. It was a sad and upsetting situation that required their intervention.

Some steps were carved out in the valley, allowing the penguins to ascend and escape to a safer place.

Although the 'no disturbance' policy is quite important, few people would probably object to the film crew digging a bit so that distressed animals could escape. However, it's a completely different situation when it comes to intervening and stopping a predator from devouring its prey.

BBC credits the featured image.

Themes: David Attenborough, renowned presenter, wildlife, BBC David Attenborough is a famous and respected presenter who has devoted his career to educating people about the wonders of the natural world. He is known for his passion for animals and his ability to bring their stories to life on screen. As a key figure at the BBC, Attenborough has worked on many groundbreaking wildlife shows that have captivated audiences around the world. Sir David Attenborough has become an iconic figure in the field of natural history television, having inspired millions with his enthusiasm for wildlife. He has been involved in a wide range of BBC documentaries over the years, from Life on Earth to Blue Planet, and has won numerous awards for his work. With his engaging style and extensive knowledge, Attenborough has helped to raise awareness of the importance of conservation and of the need to protect our planet's precious ecosystems.