In a remarkable testament to his enduring passion, broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough has spent his 100th summer exploring the hidden natural world of his home city for a new, intimate documentary. 'Wild London,' set to air on BBC One on New Year's Day, sees the 99-year-old presenter getting up close with the capital's foxes, beavers, and peregrine falcons in one of his most personal on-screen appearances in years.
A Presenter Undimmed by Time
The documentary required a presenter with intrepid spirit, willing to lie on damp grass after dark for hedgehogs, scale heights to hold a peregrine falcon chick, and patiently wait to gain the trust of wild foxes. Attenborough proved more than equal to the task. Director Joe Loncraine praised his professionalism, noting that despite initial concerns about his age, Attenborough was enthusiastic about every challenge. "He's a 99-year-old man but I would say he's still one of the easiest TV presenters to work with," Loncraine said, contrasting him with presenters decades younger who might complain.
The film is filled with captivating 'two-shot' moments where Attenborough interacts directly with animals. He gently cups a tiny harvest mouse in west London, watches beavers in Ealing, and sits enraptured as young foxes play around his deckchair at dusk in Tottenham—a scene filmed successfully in just one evening. "He has a calmness around animals," Loncraine observed, highlighting how Attenborough's natural curiosity and infectious enthusiasm remain undimmed.
London's Unexpected Wild Residents
Attenborough's tour of London's wildlife takes him from the iconic to the overlooked. He visits the Natural History Museum to find emperor dragonflies, Parliament to see peregrines, and the ancient oaks of Richmond Park. His enthusiasm is as genuine for the humble tube-riding pigeon and leopard slugs as it is for the beloved hedgehogs he observes in an Ealing garden.
A particularly poignant moment for Attenborough involves the Eurasian beavers now living in fenced wetlands in Ealing and Enfield. Having been inspired by a lecture on saving Canadian beavers 89 years ago, he reflected on the astonishing sight of them in Europe's largest city. "If someone had told me when I first moved here that one day I would be watching wild beavers in London, I would've thought they were mad," he said in a piece to camera.
A Powerful Message for Urban Dwellers
Beyond a simple collection of animal encounters, Attenborough was keen for the documentary to carry a clear and vital message. He emphasises that people and cities need nature to be happy and healthy. "The importance of appreciating nature wherever it is and making space for nature in urban environments is key for him," explained Loncraine. The film argues for the protection and expansion of urban green spaces, framing them as essential for both mental health and biodiversity.
The documentary concludes on an elegiac note, with Attenborough discussing the profound importance of Richmond Park throughout his life. As for whether this will be his final natural history presentation, Loncraine offered no certainty, but noted that betting against Attenborough has always been unwise. 'Wild London' broadcasts on BBC One on New Year's Day at 6.30pm.
