Robot Spy Manatee Receives A Slobbery Kiss!

A very special visitor is about to join the manatees in Belize...Spy Manatee! Spy Manatee is here to find out how affectionate manatees really are!
Clip taken from episode 2 'Deep Feelings' of our series Spy in the Ocean.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK and on PBS in the US:
You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
www.bbc.co.uk/...
or here in the US:
www.pbs.org/wn...
In this episode, our Spy Creatures dive into the world of animal emotions by befriending the most complex minds in the ocean and gaining insights into their innermost feelings. Bottlenose dolphins are famed for their intelligence, but Spy Dolphin is on a mission to find out what they really feel. Spy Dolphin is prepped and ready to join a pod of thrill-seeking dolphins surfing the waves, kitted-out with extra thrust, it gets a lesson in having fun from the experts. Riding the surf, fin-to-fin, Spy Dolphin’s camera eyes see the dolphin’s moods soar with an endorphin hit; jumping, leaping and playing tricks in the waves with their friends, until…wipe out! Cuttlefish aren’t the only sea creatures to wear their feelings on the outside, but none have mastered the art of disguise better than the mimic octopus. Spy Octopus sets out to observe mimic octopus behaviour, but first it has to find one! In a truly mesmerising display of skill, the mimic octopus shows off its shape-shifting repertoire. From poisonous flatfish, to dangerous lion fish and even a venomous sea snake, no impersonation is too great a challenge. It even manages a credible impression of our very own Spy! Spy Dolphin’s next mission is to French Polynesia in search of more fun-loving friends. But it gets more than it bargained for when approached by a boisterous baby humpback whale, five times its size. However, there is a Spy for every occasion and joining Spy Dolphin is a 3.5 metre-long Spy Humpback Calf, fitted out with 5 multi-angled 4k cameras. Our Spy is an instant hit with the baby humpback, and through its camera-eye we witness an emotional connection starting to form. In New Zealand, Spy Seal joins a group of fur seal pups as they face the most emotional moment of their young lives - their mothers have gone fishing. For the first time, the pups are left to fend for themselves, but at least they have each other…that is until a storm hits and the youngest seal pup finds itself left behind as the other seals head for the hills. For this young pup, an extraordinary journey lies ahead as it tries to catch up with those seeking safety inland. When emotions get too much, Spy Seal’s presence gives the young pup the morale boost it needs. The manatees of the Caribbean are mysterious creatures, but they too show a strong emotional side, especially when hanging out together among the beauty of the coral reefs. To discover more, Spy Manatee is perfectly designed to fit in, being infant-sized increases its chances of being accepted. It moves and swims like the real thing too. Patience pays off and Spy Manatee gains a privileged view into their complex relationships. It even experiences first-hand just how affectionate manatees can be. In the ultimate sign of acceptance, it even receives a manatee kiss. In Japan, a competition breaks out as mudskippers try to win a female’s favour. Spy Mudskipper turns on the charm using its flag-waving fins and its programmed leaping function. Its larger size is appreciated by the female, but when the two other frontrunners fight it out among themselves, will his jump measure up? Back in New Zealand, after an emotional journey helped by Spy Seal, the seal pup joins his lost friends in a beautiful pool beneath a waterfall. As we found with all the animals our Spies encountered, their feelings are startlingly similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Ocean #Manatee #Belize

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

John Downer: every one of your videos involving spy animals is glorious. Thank you so much!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you so much. Glad you like all our Spy Creature videos. Keep watching and sharing our clips.

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

You bet! Could you do a special on how you create these amazing spy animals?@@JohnDownerProd

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Any possibility you might show us how you make your amazing animals? And yes! our grandchildren love your channel, and they have lots of friends.@@JohnDownerProd

[@gloryBE-o1w]

@@JohnDownerProd they are remarkable , and so mysterious , and such a docile creature

[@heathercreates]

I love when the robot babies are adopted. Also manatees are the most wholesome sweethearts of the animal kingdom and I just adore them more than words can describe.

[@bartobruintjes7056]

👍

[@mychatpalace]

it's weirder when the scuba men are adopted. because that has happened before. where a few animas tried to feed the camera crew. thinking they are just sickly and cant fend for themselves. it's also adorable but in a more concerning way.

[@janicesmith2475]

Me too! I fell in love with them in Florida, where they lounged around the marina and I got to check them out for hours! Now I’m known in our family as a manatee-lover, and keep getting manatee gifts, lol. I have a manatee carved wooden jewelry box, manatee painting on the wall, a big manatee plushy. They are, in the words of my dear, late mother, “so ugly they’re cute”.

[@rogue7723]

They’re like _water capybaras._ 😊

[@1beachwalker]

We live near where the manatees are here in Central Florida and see them often. This was just too cool to give us a peek at how they act with each other underwater. Really appreciate all the hard work you put into this and sharing it with us. Always enjoy your videos and narration of them. Thank you.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Glad you enjoy our videos. You're most welcome.

[@ni-dirus]

The real manatee turned its head like it wanted a kiss back, awwww they needed to make spy baby manatee kiss-equipped 😭😭😭

[@taylorthompson9752]

I agree with that idea! But can they manage to make it?

[@ni-dirus]

@taylorthompson9752 I don't know robotics much outside of a passing curiosity, but a gentle suction and wiggly snout? Maybe even just a wiggly soft snout would be enough! Look at how cute the kisses are with their big snouts. They look like they're massaging each other with their lips. I wonder if they test their robots on zoo/rehab animals, I figure they must. It could be a fun challenge

[@taylorthompson9752]

@ Probably and the way they give affection is precious too

[@Real_Jay111]

The Robot Manatee looks so lifelike! I don't know how expensive or how long these robots take to make but I hope to see more animals!

[@kart0917]

Manatee...what a tolerant animal, it's even tender towards loving a strange spy manatee .

[@Rutherford_Inchworm_III]

I don't believe anybody has ever seen a manatee show hostility. Even land cows are much more dangerous than sea cows.

[@Bo-my5bn]

What an amazing robot it swims and looks so realistic, capturing footage like this which really shows the beautiful emotional and intimate relationships of manatees!

[@treck87]

Just imagine if the titanic Steller's Sea Cow were still around. The behaviour would likely be similar, but with gentle giants.

[@Rutherford_Inchworm_III]

Imagine a perfectly clear blue sea filled with giant manta rays and Steller's Sea Cows just calmly swimming around, bothering nobody.

[@EagleFangBasketball22]

Imagine if they made a Spy Steller's Sea Cow if these sea cows still exist.

[@EvangelineHawksley]

I have probably said this before but I am ALWAYS blown away by how real the spy animals look. The quality of these videos are always perfect and your voice, I think?, really ties it all together!!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you so much. Actually the voice is the incredible David Tennant.

[@EvangelineHawksley]

@@JohnDownerProd Really? I thought it sounded familiar but didnt think it was him! Amazing work!

[@XSemperIdem5]

Aww, robo manatee got kisses. I love manatees.

[@laurarandolph5600]

They don't care how you look... they just love ya.. hahaha...

[@believeinpeace]

Such a sweet animal and I love your spy robots. You are amazing.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you and yes manatees are adorable!

[@jennythefox8771]

How adorable! Well done, spy Manatee! 😊

[@Britney.Pelona]

0:44 Pov: A manatee gives you smooches and then adopts you ❤.

[@globalheart]

I so, so, love manatees!! This one is so special to me!! Thank you! Now...if only spy manatee could return the affection to these sweet beings ..! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@broootchen]

Johndowner in 2050: Spy spy manatee spies on spy manatees

[@mythplatypuspwned]

Spy Human!

[@jupitersmoon3033]

I’ve finally found it. My all time favorite Robot Spy clip.

[@darrinwebber4077]

Intelligent and empathic creatures

[@YuNherd]

i like these mechanical animals, they're derpy and cool. thanks JDP!

[@Senior_Squad]

Thank you for the great content you provide!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Our pleasure!

[@eewilson9835]

There are freshwater manatees along the canadian borderlands.

[@arctic_andy_infinity5708]

Are these actually real spy cams? This is incredible.

[@Danxethenightaway]

Yes 🙌

[@Alexandra_Wolf]

You could see boat motor scars on one of the manatees. Heart breaking.

[@90spiderbros]

Thank you robot spy manatee for existing

[@MarcelitoRecords]

This one looks so real 😮

[@rainbowhawk911]

2:16 That one manatee has a Remora Fish on it!

[@captainobvious1961]

2:17 So no one is gonna talk about that undercover fish just hanging around? 😂

[@Sarah-bu4rl]

That’s a common remora fish. These fish share a symbiotic relationship with other sea creatures, particularly sharks, by eating parasites and the remora benefit by getting transport and occasionally free food when the sharks eat since it’s messy. Beneficial for all in this relationship ❤

[@Avenlee.]

This is next level spying.

[@turtlegamer2558]

Manatees are cute mainly because of how squishy they are and elephants are beloved, mainly because of how intelligent and funny they are, but also not funny, but still intelligent and you get the point

[@margaretdrew2844]

Love manatees they are so gentle . We were on holiday in silver springs in Florida and saw some .such a shame some get damaged by propellers that people use so close to where they live ❤

[@AGY_DR0N3Z]

This is incredible! Props to this Chanel for making these crazy spy sea animals!

[@alexussaved888]

This is so cute 😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[@heathergustafson4237]

This is beautiful

[@Misto_deVito6009]

Now this is my second favorite spy after the Fringehead

[@Dynamite-pk3xf]

The robo animals are getting better

[@huongtrinh8609]

I can feel them and love nature more! I share your video on our Gan jing world. Thank you for your great videos.

[@AtticusCallaghan-is3uq]

Id love to see some behind the scenes like what robotics are involved, how they’re built and piloted, what scenarios you’re looking for and designs

[@mychatpalace]

it took me a bit to actually figure out which one was the real manatee... so either i'm half awake or this is a really good fake.

[@owenconteh3077]

Possibly the happiest animal alive. 😊😊😊

[@mossyforeststar]

I love animals 😭😭😭❤

[@teddbear63]

These creatures are like the puppy dogs of the ocean

[@terremotodelikes6551]

3:20 the little walk 😭😭😭😭😭

[@dancepiglover]

I never knew that manatees “walked” with the flippers.

[@googleaccount718]

Fascinating stuff.

[@joeyginise6051]

I didn't know they could move so quickly.

[@viniciusveloso250]

Amazing!!!

[@Changed-enjoyer]

i feel like you can get a job in documentary channels about wildlife

[@JohnDownerProd]

Actually we already do have that job. We make wildlife programmes for the BBC and others.

[@Changed-enjoyer]

@@JohnDownerProd ayy thats neat

[@dayloya2910]

That looks way to real

[@roxanamiranda3175]

Cool Spy Manatee 👍🤖📷🦭

[@mythplatypuspwned]

What happened to the description? "The manatee's closest living relative i" It just stopped.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Our apologies. That was a typo.

[@PureVikingPowers]

It wasn't the robot being kissed

[@nugraharendra3004]

Wahh! Love tbe cuteness! First comment bere 😂

[@MoNKeYy002]

Quite opposite of Dolphins.

[@CinemaSans]

Nah, it was a regular kiss

[@nsxdarin]

Make a spy of an extinct animal 🦤

[@brokenanklesarentfun]

I want a manatee kiss 😭😭🥺🥺

[@migueldetuduumpouco9828]

esse vídeo e um show

[@be.honest-b1y]

Waiting for Spy UFO capture real UFO Video 👍✌️

[@genjatimelord]

Cute

[@enricotoesca3941]

Heilà Dear John 🥰

[@clonedx1629]

indonesian said Dugong

[@ລະບົບບັນຊີ]

ເກົ່າແກ່ ເກົ່າເກົ່າ

[@ລະບົບບັນຊີ]

ແຟນເກົ່າ

[@FEG_Studio]

Second

[@PauloBLKNS]

Must be difficult to cut all the movie parts they're shitting💩💩🤎🤎