A British TV production agency gave special cameras to chimpanzees to produce the first video shot exclusively by the great apes, in a project called The Chimpcam. During 18 months, eleven chimpanzees of Edinburgh Zoo, in Scotland, shot one another with cameras installed inside special boxes, for the protection of the equipments.

The shot is part of a BBC documentary about the work of the behavior scientist Betsy Herrelko, from StirlingUniversity, and the first part was broadcasted in the UK on January 27. Besides the cameras, a monitor was put near the chimpanzees, so they could see what was being captured by the equipment.

Producer John Capener said the cameras were protected to avoid damage due to power and angry behavior chimpanzees demonstrate sometimes. “They work their best with us and did they best they could. I am sure they understood the process of shooting”, said the producer.

Betsy Herrelko explained that the animals were aware of the link between watch and shoot. “The chimpanzees never get tired of shooting, unless the moniors were off”, affirmed.