Sir David Attenborough has been one of the most inspirational figures of our time — and I suspect I’m far from alone in feeling that way. For so many of us, his Life on Earth series was the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for the natural world, a love that has only deepened with the years.
Few people have done more to educate and enthrall us about the wonders of our planet. What strikes me most is the sheer global reach of his influence. On a trip to Africa last year, my guide spoke with such warmth and admiration for Attenborough’s work — a reminder that his impact stretches far beyond the UK, touching generation after generation across every corner of the world.
As we mark the week of his 100th birthday, I’d like to share a personal memory: the day I had the privilege of meeting David Attenborough during my first visit to the Galápagos Islands in May 1997. I can tell you from experience — he is every bit as remarkable a human being as you might hope.
Meeting David Attenborough in the Galapagos Islands – a true highlight!
I was 23 at the time and had just finished an internship at a development bank in Costa Rica. I was about to head off travelling across South America (on a shoestring budget) when I was offered a job as a mystery shopper on some yachts in the Galapagos (which definitely ranks as my best job of all time!)
I had been making a circuit of the same islands, getting on and off different yachts for around 10 days and was on my 3rd visit to Genovesa, one of the outpost islands for seabirds right in the north of the archipelago (actually my favourite island) when I noticed someone who I recognised to be a fellow Brit (from his clothing). He was doing some sound recording close to some Frigate Birds so I headed over to chat with him whilst the rest of my group went ahead on the trail.
After a few minutes chatting it emerged he was a Sound Recorder filming a new series with David Attenborough about birds; this turned out to be The Life of Birds, which was broadcast in October 1998. Actually by a strange co-incidence that I will explain later, the recordings and footage from there would be used in the episode entitled ‘Finding Partners’ filming the courting Frigate Birds on the island.
After I became all star struck and told the Sound Recorder that David Attenborough was one of my all time life heroes, he suggested I come over to the yacht that afternoon to meet David and the rest of the team. I said that would be wonderful – but never really imagined it would happen and then rushed on to catch up with the rest of my group who had moved ahead on the trail.
That afternoon the yacht David Attenborough was on sent over a dingy to pick me up and take me to their yacht, along with my naturalist guide who came across with me. I have to say, the whole thing was just completely surreal! When I got on board, David Attenborough was there and as I stepped onto the yacht, he asked me what I would like to drink. He then handed me a beer and I sat down with the other members of the film crew and we all started chatting. I can’t really remember much about what we chatted about, I think I was just too stunned that it was all real, but a few moments do stick in my memory of our meeting:
At that time, the only way I could communicate with my parents (in the days before mobile phones and email just in its very early days) was by fax. So I asked David to write a fax for me to send to my Mum and Dad (my Dad being a science teacher and also a big fan!) He very kindly obliged and wrote to them to say he was here in the Galapagos with me and signed it! I sent the fax off to my parents when I returned to Puerto Ayora (along with a phone call to tell them all about it!)
The other crystal clear memory I have is when I was posing for a photograph with Sir David with the cameraman from the series holding up my Olympus Trip camera. This camera had been carelessly left on numerous beaches and the wind on mechanism regularly got stuck. The cameraman kept saying to me – it won’t work – and I repeated – just try banging it on the side and it should release – (whilst stood with David Attenborough posing for the photograph). Which he did, and managed to take a photograph, which is the one on this page!
My first ever fan mail – and David’s response!
About ten years ago, inspired by his new 3D Galapagos series, I did something I’d never done before — I wrote my first ever fan letter to David Attenborough. I wanted to tell him how much our meeting had meant to me, and how the Galapagos had continued to hold such a special place in my life ever since. A few weeks later, to my complete surprise and delight, I received a reply — handwritten, in his own hand, even down to the envelope. It was one of the most touching things I’ve ever received, and said everything about the kind of man he is.
The day I met David Attenborough on Genovesa Island, watching him and his team film footage for the Finding Partners episode of The Life of Birds, remains one of the most extraordinary days of my life on earth so far — and yes, I did intend that!
