The famous British naturalist David Attenborough said that he was “completely overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages” received on the occasion of his 100th birthday and thanked those who sent him wishes “from the bottom of my heart”, The Guardian reports.
Attenborough admitted he had envisioned a low-key anniversary, but the moment was turned into a special event, marked by a live celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, broadcast on BBC One.
The event includes music from his famous documentaries, but also messages, stories and reflections of public figures and activists for the protection of nature.
In an audio message recorded and shared on Thursday night, Attenborough thanked the people who sent him wishes.
“I’d rather have a quiet 100th birthday, but it seems many of you had other ideas. I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages, from groups of pre-schoolers to nursing home residents and countless people and families of all ages.”he said.
“I just can’t reply to everyone individually, but I would like to thank you all very sincerely for your beautiful messages”the naturalist added.
Honored worldwide
David Attenborough’s unmistakable voice has described the wonders of nature for billions of viewers for decades, and his documentaries have inspired global campaigns to protect the environment and biodiversity.
To mark his anniversary, London’s Natural History Museum has named a newly discovered species of parasitic wasp in his honor – Attenboroughnculus tau – and is running the interactive exhibition until August “Our Story With David Attenborough”.
At Kew Gardens, staff have recorded an anniversary message paying tribute and urging people to protect plants and fungi.
And the Australian Museum pays tribute to him, offering free access to the exhibition “Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires”.
“The Greatest Ambassador of Life on Earth”
Numerous personalities from the world of science, culture and television sent him messages of appreciation.
Naturalist Chris Packham described it as “the greatest presenter alive” and “the greatest ambassador of life on Earth”.
“We love him because we trust him, because he has always told us the truth as we know it.” Packham stated.
Actor Ian McKellen said Attenborough represents “the best of the BBC”, due to the way in which he managed to transform documentaries about nature into productions watched by the general public.
A life dedicated to nature
David Attenborough was born in 1926 in Isleworth, West London, and grew up near Leicester, where he discovered his passion for nature from an early age.
After periods spent in the navy and in the editorial field, he joined the BBC in 1950 and began making documentaries about nature.
In 1965 he became director of BBC2, but his main interest remained wildlife and documentary film.
The international consecration came in 1979, with the documentary series Life on Earth, considered one of the most important productions about nature ever made.
One of the most famous moments in his career remains the meeting with an adult gorilla in Rwanda, a scene in which Attenborough told viewers that people have unfairly chosen the gorilla as a symbol of aggression.
The messages about the climate crisis
In recent decades, Attenborough has become one of the strongest voices in the fight against climate change and the destruction of biodiversity.
In 2018, at the UN climate conference in Poland, he warned that humanity is facing “the biggest threat in the last thousands of years”.
“If we do not act, the collapse of our civilizations and the disappearance of much of the natural world is on the horizon,” he said.
Three years later, at COP26 in Glasgow, Attenborough sent an optimistic message to the younger generations:“In my lifetime I have witnessed a terrible decline. In your lifetime you could and should witness an extraordinary recovery.”
