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COMM: These stunning views of Africa may look
like they cost millions to produce.
COMM: But they're actually the work of a lone
British photographer using a homemade helicopter drone.
COMM: The device is the brainchild of Will
Burrard - Lucas, who designed and built it in his own home.
WILL: So this is Beetlecopter. It is a six
propellered remote control helicopter, and I can of course use it to carry a camera.
At the moment I have a GoPro camera on here just for shooting video, because it's very
light it means I get a very long flight time. Just need to go and find some wildlife to
photograph.
COMM: The remote controlled aircraft is much
quieter than a full size chopper, enabling it to get within metres of the shy wildlife.
COMM: Here a ravenous hyena drags half a buffalo
calf through the long grass before taking a quick sniff.
COMM: A lone giraffe strides through the wilderness.
COMM: And scores of hippo lazily bathe in
a river.
COMM: This single lioness turns her head to
inspect the drone.
COMM: While herds of elephants and zebra wander
the plaines looking for new food sources.
WILL: I can see exactly what the camera is
seeing on a small handheld screen, or even on virtual reality goggles which is quite
fun.
COMM: But the Beetlecopter really comes into
it's own when capturing sweeping views of it's big events, like this migration of wildebeest.
COMM: The sun is setting on another day in
the Serengeti, but this amazing technology has allowed us to see it in a new light.
END