Chris Packham

Christopher Gary Packham CBE (born 4 May 1961) is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter, and author. He is best known for his work on television, especially the CBBC children's nature series The Really Wild Show from 1986 to 1995. Since 2009, he has also presented the BBC nature series Springwatch, along with Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. Through his work, Packham helps people learn about and care for the natural world.

Early life

Chris Packham was born in Southampton, Hampshire, on 4 May 1961. He went to Bitterne Park Secondary School and Taunton's College. In 1979, he started studying Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton, where he earned a BSc in zoology. He later began a PhD but decided to leave to become a wildlife cameraman.

University of Southampton
BSc
Biological Sciences
Taunton's College
Bitterne Park Secondary School
PhD
zoology

Television career

In 1983, Packham started his television career as a part-time camera assistant for wildlife filmmaker Stephen Bolwell, working on A Toad's Tale. He then worked on several BBC and Channel 4 series, including The Living Planet and Ourselves and Other Animals.

Packham became well-known as a television presenter in 1986 with the children's show The Really Wild Show, which he presented until 1995. He also presented other nature shows like Wild Shots, The X Creatures, and Hands on Nature. Since 2009, he has co-presented the popular BBC nature programmes Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch. He has also presented many other documentaries, including Secrets of Our Living Planet, Inside the Animal Mind, and Animal Einsteins.

Packham has explored many topics on television, from wildlife and nature to documentaries about animals and the environment. He has also shared his personal experiences in programmes like Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me and Inside Our Autistic Minds.

Charity work and wildlife conservation

Chris Packham helps many groups that care for animals and nature. He is the leader of several important organizations, including the Bat Conservation Trust, the RSPCA, and the RSPB. He also supports many other groups that work to protect birds, insects, and wild spaces.

In 2017, he started working with the National Autistic Society to help people who have autism. In 2019, he helped create a group called Wild Justice to make sure laws in the UK protect wildlife properly.

Honours and awards

Chris Packham has received many awards for his work. In 2011, he got the Dilys Breese Medal for helping people learn more about science. In 2013, he became an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Southampton. In 2014, readers of Birdwatch magazine chose him as "Conservation Hero of the Year" for talking about the need to protect birds.

In 2016, he won a Wildscreen Panda Award. His book Fingers in the Sparkle Jar was voted the UK’s favourite nature book in 2018. In 2018, he also received an award for his documentary about nature. In 2019, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to nature conservation.

Views

In 2009, Chris Packham shared his opinion during an interview that saving giant pandas was too expensive and suggested funds should go to protecting other animals and habitats instead. He also spoke out against a TV show for mistreating animals in several years.

Packham has often talked about the importance of protecting wildlife. He has worked to raise awareness about issues like hunting and the treatment of birds. In 2019, he decided to live as a vegan and made changes to his lifestyle to help the environment. Despite facing some harsh criticism and even threats for his activism, Packham continues to speak up for wildlife protection.

Personal life

Chris Packham grew up in Hampshire and loved nature very much. School was hard for him because other kids often treated him unkindly. When he was a teenager, he took care of a bird called a kestrel, and its death made him very sad.

Later, Chris was diagnosed with a condition called Asperger syndrome and has also faced times when he felt very sad. He has lived in different places, including the New Forest, where he enjoyed time with his pet dogs. Chris has a step-daughter named Megan McCubbin, who also works in nature shows with him. He has shared his home with a friend for many years, but they live in separate places.

Works

Chris Packman has written many books about nature and wildlife. Some of his popular books include The Flying Gourmet's Guide, Bird Brain of Britain, and Back Garden Nature Reserve. He has also written papers for nature magazines and created videos and documentaries about wildlife. One of his documentaries is called Aspergers And Me, and he has a YouTube series named 8 Out Of 10 Bats.