BBC Crew Breaks Their Own Rule To Save Stranded Penguins Trapped In Icy Gully.

Nature has the ability to be both breathtakingly beautiful and utterly heartbreaking, sometimes at the same time.

Videos by InspireMore

While on location in Antarctica filming a segment on emperor penguins, a film production crew for BBC Earth’s “Dynasties” series encountered a situation that tested them in a powerful way.

Normally, these production crews vow to never interfere with nature’s workings, no matter how difficult various events are to witness. In other words, their job is to observe and document, not get involved. Yet when this team spotted at least 50 emperor penguins trapped in a deep, icy gully with no way of escaping, they simply couldn’t stand by and watch the majestic animals die.

“Film crews have to capture events as they unfold, whatever their feelings,” narrator David Attenborough states, but the faces of the crew tell another story.

Wiping freezing tears from his eyes with a gloved hand, one man tells the camera, “I know it’s natural, but it’s bloody hard to watch. There are birds down there with chicks.”

After some time spent observing the penguins and realizing they couldn’t find a path to freedom, the crew unanimously decided to break their rule about interfering.

Helping the birds was simple enough. They just shoveled a few steps into the steep snow walls to give them a fighting chance!

Almost as soon as they stopped shoveling, the penguins figured out what to do and lined up to climb the walkway that had been cleared by their new human friends. The relief on the crew members’ faces as their plan to save lives actually worked was tangible!

We’re so glad the BBC crew decided to step in! After all, who could sit by and watch this unnecessary suffering when all they had to do was create a few steps? In life-threatening moments like these, some rules were clearly meant to be broken.

Watch the crew’s rescue mission in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends.