BBC film crew broke big ‘no interference’ rule after spotting problem while filming penguins

People still can't get over the 'wholesome' moment a BBC film crew broke its 'no interference' rule to help save some penguins.

A BBC film crew were in Antarctica recording for David Attenborough's series Dynasties when a group of penguins ended up stuck in a ravine. Prepare for your initial tears of distress to turn into tears of joy:

In the programme, the penguins can be seen stuck in a ravine, some of them already having died.

It's a horrific and heartbreaking sight to see, and left the BBC camera crew torn between heart and head - a 'cardinal rule' for wildlife observers to not interfere with the course of nature.

Thankfully, after agonising deliberation, the crew decided to go against the rule and help, in what BBC Earth described as an 'unprecedented move'.

The Dynasties crew took to the ravine and dug some steps which they hoped the penguins would then use to get out.

BBC

Thankfully, the plan worked, and the penguins waddled their way over and managed to escape.

Despite reflecting on the 'no interference' rule as an important factor when filming animals, veteran wildlife cameraman Doug Allan applauded the Dynasties film crew's actions - highlighting the crew didn't physically move or touch the penguins themselves, but simply gave them an alternative pathway.

He told The Guardian: "Interfering or not is a decision based on what you’re seeing at the time. To interfere on a predation event is definitely wrong but, in this situation, they didn’t spook the penguins. All they did was create an escape route for them.

"I certainly think, in that case, what they did was entirely justifiable and entirely understandable. I would have done the same thing in their situation."

BBC

The series may have aired over four years ago, but social media users still can't get over the heart-wrenching moment, which shows the crew grappling with what to do and the moment they decide to act.

A TikToker - who goes by the username @avdolsenior on the platform - shared a clip from the programme, calling the film crew 'wholesome' and it didn't take long for people to flood to the comments in similar support of the crew.

One TikTok user said: "I disagree entirely with the no interference rule. We can be shepherds for life on this planet if we choose to be."

"No interference? They were just making steps for themselves to use and cross, the penguins just happen to use them," another added.

A third commented: "This interference rule should only apply if it's going to stop another animal from eating."

And a final resolved: "Humans cause far more death in the world than these guys saving a few penguins. We should help at every change we are given."

Topics: BBC, TV and Film, Animals, David Attenborough, Sir David Attenborough, Health, Mental Health

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.