Sir David Attenborough has opened up about the circumstances in which he believes zoos and similar establishments can be “reasonable”.
It comes as the naturalist welcomes a new nature documentary series, Planet Perfect, will be on BBC One in the New Year.
The new five-part program explores the forces of nature that support and enable life on earth, including volcanoes, sunlight, weather and oceans while the final program in the series about the amazing impact humans are having on the planet.
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In a Q&A before the program was launched, Attenborough, 94, reflected on his own views on people holding captive animals in zoos and aquariums.
“If you are talking about animals that have been reduced to less than 100 and the reason they have done so is that something has happened in their environment that has made it impossible for them to survive then you can you sit back and say. ‘Well they can look after themselves’ or you can take action, “he said.
“The Arab oryx became extinct in the country and it was only because people realized that zoos in America and Europe as well as private collectors had acquired these animals and brought them all. together and created breeding stock and grew in numbers and now re – release them in the country, “Attenborough went on.
He said that although the Arab onyx was a “real issue” there are times of “extreme urgency” that give rise to animals living in captivity but that it was “impossible” ”Generalize animals because of their different needs and uses.
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“There are some animals that thrive in captivity and some animals that do not. It depends on how big they are, what their habits are. Eagles should not be kept in a zoo. But there are monkeys for example – or squirrels – that are doing very well, and aquaria is actually doing very well.
“It’s important that the public should be aware of the truth of these things and get close to them, see what they smell like, what they look like.
“I justify zoos while being scientific, as long as they are selective about what they hold and as long as they keep them to the highest standards. That’s fine by me, “he decided.
Earlier this year, the veteran veteran backed an appeal to help save London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo from closure.
He led his voice to a TV campaign appealing for money to be raised for the Zoological Society of London, as it has both juices.
Planet Perfect it will go on BBC One in 2021.
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