“A career peak”: Leicester academic on working with Sir David Attenborough as he turns 100
Dr Richard Thomas worked with Sir David Attenborough on a documentary about Jumbo the elephant
He’s spent decades bringing the wonders of the natural world into our homes... and today Sir David Attenborough turns 100.
To mark the occasion, a University of Leicester academic has been reflecting on the times he worked alongside Sir David on a major documentary.
Dr Richard Thomas, a professor of archaeology at the University of Leicester, was the lead scientist on a film about Jumbo the elephant, one of the Victorian era’s most famous animals and a story linked to Disney’s Dumbo.
He was first contacted in 2016 by filmmakers looking for scientific expertise to study Jumbo’s skeleton, which is held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. His role was to help analyse the remains and reveal details about the elephant’s health, age and life history.
After an initial delay, the project was later commissioned, with Sir David Attenborough confirmed as narrator.
Dr Thomas said being part of the production was an immediate yes.
“It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” he said. “Suddenly I’m in New York, working on Jumbo the elephant, and Sir David Attenborough is narrating.”
The team carried out their research in Brooklyn, where the skeleton is stored, while filming took place around them.
Dr Thomas said Attenborough quickly brought energy and warmth to the set.
“He was just brilliant company,” he said. “Full of stories, completely at ease, and everyone just relaxed around him.”
During filming, Attenborough took a close interest in the science, asking questions and helping turn complex research into accessible storytelling.
Dr Thomas said he was struck by how engaged he remained.
The documentary explored Jumbo’s extraordinary life, from Victorian fame to his influence on modern culture, while also linking the story to contemporary elephant conservation.
For Dr Thomas, the experience remains a career highlight.
“I think I peaked in 2017,” he said. “He’s the person who inspired me to love natural history in the first place.”
At the University of Leicester, the Attenborough family has long-standing ties, with campus buildings, the arts centre and an arboretum named in their honour.
As Sir David Attenborough turns 100, the university is celebrating with a series of events including tree planting, wildflower seed giveaways, a celebratory cake, and public activities at the Attenborough Arboretum.
For Dr Thomas, it is also a moment to reflect on the legacy of a broadcaster who helped shape how generations see the natural world.