How David Attenborough’s lush imagery hid a history of colonial harm

6 hours ago 12

David Attenborough is pictured with an animated, computer generated theropod dinosaur when he opened an exhibit at the Yorkshire Museum.

David Attenborough is pictured with an animated, computer generated theropod dinosaur when he opened an exhibit at the Yorkshire Museum. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The British natural historian David Attenborough turns 100 today. It is likely no one has done more to make the non-human world more legible and loveable to mass audiences. Attenborough’s career as a host, starting with Zoo Quest in 1954, spans seven decades and nine documentary series. His influence on how several generations of people worldwide perceive ecology and conservation is unparalleled.

Yet that is also what has made his work and his efforts to communicate it so troublesome.

Published - May 08, 2026 07:15 am IST

Read Entire Article