Shocking Scenes as BBC Presenter Suffocates Goat in New Series
A BBC presenter has sparked outrage after a shocking scene where he suffocates a live goat with his bare hands aired in the new series, The Tribe with Bruce Parry. This marks Bruce’s return to television after a decade-long hiatus, with the series debuting on BBC Two this Sunday night.
In a jarring moment captured on camera, Bruce Parry finds himself in a life-altering situation during his travels in Angola. While interacting with an indigenous tribe known as the Mucubal, he is presented with a goat as a welcoming gift from one of the tribe’s leaders. However, Bruce’s excitement quickly turns to horror when he learns he must kill the goat on the spot.
Expressing his shock, Bruce stated, “What do I do with this?” as he was informed of the tribe’s customs surrounding the offering. The cultural significance of the goat is profound; it serves as a vital source of sustenance, a form of currency, and a symbol of generosity within the tribe. To decline such a gift would be considered extremely disrespectful.
As Bruce nervously inquires about how to proceed, he is shown the method of suffocation by the other men. In a voiceover, he explains the reasoning behind this technique; it is intended to preserve the animal’s nutrient-rich blood, ensuring nothing goes to waste. The scene escalates as the men help restrain the struggling goat, while Bruce places his hands around its mouth and nostrils, preparing to carry out the grim task.
As the distressing scene unfolds, Bruce admits, “This is the most gruesome thing I have ever done.” He is visibly shaken, repeating “Oh my God” multiple times, reflecting on the overwhelming nature of the experience. “I wasn’t given any time to consider it or anything; it’s like they held it and said you have to hold this now… so I did,” he recounts, grappling with the reality of the moment.
After the goat’s life is extinguished, Bruce takes a moment to collect himself, exhaling deeply as he processes what just happened. He shares, “It’s a very odd feeling, feeling the life force of an animal disappear in your own hands… not a feeling I’d necessarily want to have again.”
In a candid interview with Radio Times ahead of the show’s release, Bruce reflected on the moral complexities of his experience. He stated, “It was difficult, suffocating a goat. But I could be the most ethically minded person at home in the UK, yet simply getting on a bus, I will have a much larger impact on the planet than any one of these people. Who am I to judge them?”
The Tribe with Bruce Parry premieres on Sunday, March 30 at 9 PM on BBC Two, marking an emotional and thought-provoking return for the presenter.
