Sir David Attenborough at 100: London Zoo pays tribute
The legendary broadcaster started his career at London Zoo over 70 years ago.
The conservationist and national treasure Sir David Attenborough is celebrating his 100th birthday today.
Joining in with the celebrations is ZSL London Zoo, where Sir David's broadcasting career started over 70 years ago.
In 1954, Sir David presented Zoo Quest on the BBC from London Zoo. The program beamed him into everyone's homes for the first time, and kicked of a career spanning decades.
Since that first, Sir David has worked alongside the zoo throughout the years. For his 90th birthday, the building that's home to the komodo dragon, an animal filmed for the first time by Sir David, was named after him.
Inspiring a generation
Staff have been telling us that building isn't the only way he has impacted the zoo. Many of the zoo keepers told us he is the reason they wanted to work with animals.
This includes Holly who told us about when she first met Sir David:
"It was really early in my career, when we named the komodo dragon house after him. It was just astounding to be in the presence of somebody who you have admired for so long.
"To hear his actual voice coming out of his actual face was just incredible".
Holly told us she was amazed that wasn't the only time she would bump into Sir David.
"Many years later he came to research a documentary with us in the library, and I was looking after him whilst he was there.
"He had hardly changed in 5 years and it was incredible".
She told us about the one question she really wanted to know the answer to.
"I had no idea what to ask him, at one point I asked him what his favourite animal was because I couldnt think of anything else to say in the presence of such greatness.
"He said that all of the natural world is incredible so its usually the animal he has seen most recently.
"We had just taken him to meet a baby anteater, so he said that day it was the anteater."
Sir David Attenborough said he has been “completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings” as he thanked well-wishers “most sincerely” ahead of his centenary on Friday.
Big Celebrations
The beloved naturalist said he had hoped to celebrate his 100th birthday “quietly”.
Instead the milestone will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall featuring music from his programmes, as well as stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.
In a recorded audio message shared the night before his birthday, he said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings from pre-school groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages.
“I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages.
“I wish those of you who have planned your own local events tomorrow a very happy day.”