Autumnwatch viewers put off their dinner as new 'Carcass-cam' sees dead dolphin savaged
AUTUMNWATCH viewers were left pushing their plates away tonight as the nature show featured scenes of animals feasting on a dead dolphin.
Gruesome moment buzzard eats dolphin on Autumnwatch
The first live episode of the seasonal show featured a 'carcass-cam', which was a special infrared camera that had been set up next to the dead mammal.
Autumnwatch host Chris Packham explained that the dolphin, who had died further along the coast, had been moved with permission to the beach on RSPB Arne Reserve in Dorset.
Explaining what the carcass was, Packham said: "It's actually a common dolphin, found washed up in the West Country."
A clip from earlier in the day showed a buzzard pecking chunks out of the marine animal.
Packham rather graphically explained what was happening for viewers, adding: "Look at that rich red meat, that muscle the bird is taking out of the dolphin."
Autumnwatch viewers complained as a dolphin carcass was shown being pecked at by a buzzard
Autumnwatch's Chris Packham explained the bird was ripping chunks of muscle out of the dolphin
Look at that rich red meat, that muscle the bird is taking out of the dolphin
Airing at 8pm, a time when many sit down for their evening meal, some viewers took to Twitter to complain about what they were seeing.
One person wrote: "A dolphin carcass you say? *pushes tea to one side* #Autumnwatch."
"Nothing like a live stream of a dolphin carcass whilst I'm having my tea. #Autumnwatch," another said.
While a third simply added: "Carcass cam? Nope. Just nope. #Autumnwatch"
However, the BBC show was praised by some for depicting the realities of life in the wild.
Autumnwatch's Carcass-cam showed insects feasting on the dead mammal live
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan presented Autumnwatch live from RSPB Arne Reserve in Dorset
One viewer approved, saying: "@BBCSpringwatch Carcass-cam on #Autumnwatch is a brilliant idea: showing #taphonomy and scavenging in action. Not grisly but educational."
Another agreed, adding: "Why are people getting so squeamish about carcass cam? This is what happens in nature, the food chain. @BBCSpringwatch #Autumnwatch"
Autumnwatch continues tomorrow at 8pm on BBC Two.