David Attenborough: London, His True Home for Nature
A one-off film sees Sir David Attenborough return to London to spotlight urban wildlife and the daily drama of nature in the city.
In a new one-off film, Sir David Attenborough returns to his hometown to rediscover the wild side of London. The veteran broadcaster and naturalist, who has spent seven decades exploring life on Earth, now shines a spotlight on the capital he calls home.
Wild London takes viewers on a close view of urban wildlife—from pigeons on busy Tube lines to riverbank beavers—and the daily dramas that unfold above and around nine million residents.
Producer Gaby Bastyra from Passion Planet notes that although Attenborough could live anywhere, London has always drawn him back, and the film is a personal homage to his city.
Wild London showcases a mix of moments: pigeons stepping onto busy tube lines, a snake colony by a canal, and close-ups of the city’s everyday wildlife interactions. It also highlights the broader narrative of living with nature in a megacity.
Perhaps the most poignant scenes show Attenborough gently handling animals: a peregrine falcon chick at the Houses of Parliament being ringed for identification, and a tiny harvest mouse being released into a meadow in Greenford. He whispers encouragement, inviting the animals to adapt to their new home.
Joe Loncraine, Wild London’s director, says the footage captures warmth and contagious enthusiasm that’s rare in modern nature filmmaking.
Attenborough praises The Ealing Beaver Project in west London for showing how beavers can positively reshape urban ecosystems, a sign of a brighter future for both wildlife and city residents. He notes that imagining wild beavers in London when he first moved here would have sounded impossible, yet they now thrive nearby, underscoring the city’s potential to support nature.
David Mooney, chief executive of London Wildlife Trust, describes the moments as enthralling and highlights the ongoing interaction between people and wildlife in the capital. He urges viewers to notice, appreciate, and protect urban nature.
Wild London airs at 6:30 p.m. (GMT) on January 1 on INLIBER One and INLIBER iPlayer. Viewers are invited to share London wildlife stories by emailing hello.INLIBERlondon@INLIBER.co.uk.
For more nature-inspired content, follow INLIBER London on social media and tune in to INLIBER Radio London on Sounds.
Expert commentary
Expert comment: David Mooney, chief executive of London Wildlife Trust, praises the film for its intimate portrayal of how city life and wildlife intersect. He notes that awareness can grow affection and action for urban conservation.
Summary
Summary: Attenborough’s film invites audiences to view London through a naturalist’s lens, revealing beavers, hawks, and tiny mammals living beside commuters. It emphasizes that when people notice and care, they help nature recover in cities. The project also spotlights community efforts like the Ealing Beavers as proof that cities can nurture wildlife with thoughtful planning.
The key insight is that urban environments can host thriving wildlife when people notice, value, and defend them. BBC News
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