Chris Packham

Chris Packham
Name	Chris Packham
Caption	Packham at the British Birdwatching Fair in 2010
Birth date	4 May 1961
Birth place	Southampton, Hampshire, England
Occupation	Naturalist, Television presenter, Author, Conservationist
Education	University of Southampton (BSc)

Chris Packham is a prominent English naturalist, television presenter, author, and conservationist, renowned for his passionate advocacy for wildlife and the environment. He first gained widespread recognition as a presenter on the BBC children's wildlife programme The Really Wild Show, before becoming a mainstay of popular series such as Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch. Packham's career is distinguished by his scientific approach to broadcasting, his extensive written works, and his forthright, often controversial, activism on issues ranging from badger culling to climate change.

Early life and education

Born in Southampton, he developed an intense fascination with the natural world from a very young age, spending much of his childhood exploring the local countryside. He attended Bitterne Park School and later studied zoology at the University of Southampton, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his university years, he was an active member of the British Naturalists' Association and began photographing wildlife, skills that would later underpin his media career.

Television career

His breakthrough came in 1986 when he was selected to present The Really Wild Show, a role he held for a decade and which earned him a BAFTA award. He subsequently presented numerous documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, and National Geographic, including series like X Creatures and Postcards from the Country. Packham is perhaps best known as a lead presenter of the BBC's annual wildlife observation series Springwatch and its spin-offs Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, where his expertise and candid presenting style have been central to the programmes' success. He has also fronted major documentary series such as The Secret Life of Birds and Chris Packham's Asperger's and Me, the latter providing a powerful personal insight into his diagnosis with Asperger syndrome.

Writing and other media work

Beyond television, he is a prolific author, having written and contributed to numerous books on wildlife, including the autobiographical Fingers in the Sparkle Jar. He is a regular columnist for publications like BBC Wildlife Magazine and has written for The Guardian. His work extends to radio, where he has presented programmes for BBC Radio 4, and he is a frequent public speaker at events such as the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Packham also served as the president of the British Trust for Ornithology and has been a vice-president of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Wildlife Trusts.

Activism and views

He is an outspoken and uncompromising activist for environmental and animal welfare causes. He has led high-profile campaigns against the government-sanctioned badger cull, the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, and illegal practices such as raptor persecution on grouse moors. In 2019, he organised the People's Walk for Wildlife in London and co-founded the pressure group Wild Justice with Mark Avery and Ruth Tingay to legally challenge wildlife management policies. His activism has frequently placed him in conflict with organisations like the National Gamekeepers' Organisation and has led to personal threats, as well as praise from groups including Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion.

Personal life

He lives in the New Forest in Hampshire with his partner, Charlotte Corney, who runs the Isle of Wight Zoo. He has been open about his diagnosis with Asperger syndrome, discussing its impact on his life and work in several television programmes and his writing. An avid and skilled wildlife photographer, his other personal interests include punk rock music and vintage American cars.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Dilys Breese Medal from the British Trust for Ornithology and the Wildscreen Panda Award for Best Presenter. He was awarded the CIEEM Medal for his significant contribution to the advancement of ecology and environmental management. In 2024, he received a special recognition award at the National Television Awards for his outstanding contribution to wildlife broadcasting. Several species, including a species of trilobite, have been named in his honour by scientific institutions.

Category:English naturalists Category:English television presenters Category:English conservationists Category:1961 births Category:Living people