Sir David Attenborough answers your questions!
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We asked you if you had a burning question for naturalist, broadcaster and national treasure Sir David Attenborough.
As promised we picked out our favourite questions from those that you sent in.
We spoke to Sir David after his appearance on The One Show.
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Comments
What has been your favourite animal to watch and why?
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Is there any creature that has elouded you which you would love to have seen?
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What is the worst thing you had to do for the cameras?
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have you ever been attacted and injured by any of the wild animals you have filmed with?
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Have you ever trodden on something you should have been observing?
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Which is more attractive, a panda or a heron?
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what's your favorite animal and why
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Last year while walking through a local park i was shocked to see a flock of parrots attacking an injured member of the flock. For me with my limited wildlife knowledge and experience, this scene was quite profound and disturbing.
I am curious, from your experience and expertise have you ever actually been shocked by an organisms responses? and if so, which organism and why? (For me personally, i would never have expected parrots to attempt to kill a member of their own group).
Regards,
Amy
Sydney
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How do naturalists know that polar bears are left handed?
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what would you like to see or do befor you pop off this planet.
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What do you think about the Bio-Control methods being suggested to control Japanese Knotweed
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Blue Planet Magazine is a free press magazine in Greece and would like to be helped with a small video from you talking about the magazine and the Greek Habitat.
The question is:
When will you visit Greece for a wildlife mission?
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As a respected and almost universally popular naturalist, you must have many fans amongst your fellow animal and plant researchers.
Has any species been named after you?
Jenny Chong
Kuala Lumpur
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hi my names lisa hare i am 17 years old and ever since i was 6 i have been pretty interested in the titanic story it has become a hobbie off mine an i was wondering if you could give me sum useful information on on what exactly happened as i am currently and hve been studying it for the last 4 years thank you x
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Hi, the more we find out about wild creatures, the more we learn about how they communicate with each other, and I have been fascinated to learn about such phenomenons as dancing bees and even waving frogs. After all your years of studying different creatures, do you think that all species communicate with each other by some means? Do you think we humans will ever be able to fathom these methods and understand our wild neighbours? Thanks
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I have watched your documentaries since I could first talk - you have been a continuing inspiration to me, so much so that I wish I could do what you do and see the places and creatures of the world first hand as you have.
Is there anywhere you haven't been that you really really want to?
And what is your most treasured memory from any of your series?
In case you couldn't tell,
Sincerely a fan,
Andrew Todd.
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I still think Life on Earth was by far his most evocative & important series - bringing the public fundamentally important science.
Do anti-evolutionaries such as American fundamentalist Christians make him angry?
Or since they can do no real harm to a vastly well-established theory is it "each to this own"?
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I am 17 years old and therefore cannot apply for the To The End of the World can you make a documentary thing.
Working with animals, researching animals and trying to infect others with the enthusiasm and love that i have for animals would be the ultimte job for me, however it also seems like the hardest job to possibly get into
I would therefore appreciate your advice on how best to get into animal documentaries as this way is closed to me.
thanks alot
Alberts
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Do you believe in God?
Thanks and best regards
Ali
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Which animals are most likely to survive the climate change?
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In all the years of filming wildlife what has been your most frightening moment/encounter ?
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Sir David,
Man is evidently destroying the planet and the natural elements in the natural world including
the rainforest which we all rely on.My hart goes
out to the indigenous people's we are destroying there communities and there way
of life, why?
NEIL
WESTMIDLANDS
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David, I assume you're going to be giving up the old wildlife presenting soon, would it be possible to put in a good word with the BBC for me to be your replacement?
Cheers
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Dear Sir David:
If the worst comes to the worst and we do destroy the planet, surely Mother Nature will simply dust herself down, pick herself up and start all over again. Isn't the planet in peril really about our survival? Nature will survive, will continue. We won't. What are your thoughts, sir?
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Having travelled all over the world how do you think our fantastic ancient trees in the uk compare to ones you have see in other countries.
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Hi Sir Attenborough,
I wish to know what you think about coral reef destruction based on global warming. I own a reef aquarium with thriving corals where the tempersture varies by 5f each day with no adverse effects so I am concerned with the press claiming that tempurature rises cause coral bleaching when this clearly does not occur in my enclosed ecosystem
Ryan, Wolverhampton
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Would you be excited or disgusted if scientists successfully cloned a woolly mammoth and bought it back from extinction?
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Sir David,
You have inspired me, and I'm sure a great many others, with your incredible passion for the natural world for which I thank you.
I've become severely disillusioned with capitalism and dearly would love to become a naturalist or conservationist and give something back to the planet that gave me life, what advice would you give to someone considering a complete career change from IT into an area of work which they have zero qualifications, yet need to earn a living! Is getting qualified the way to go or should I start with volunteering to get experience... or both?!
Sincerely,
James [Personal details removed by Moderator]
Aylesbury, Bucks
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dear sir attenborough,
i am 15 years old and since i was little i have been watching your documentaries.
you are one of the main reasons why i want to work with and study animals when i am older, you really have inspired me!
i was just wondering what you studied in university?
i want to study zoology, do you think that will give me a good start in the world of working with animals?
thank you very much for everything,
Romany, 15, North London
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Is there an animal that you would like to see but haven't already, and if so what is it?
Jason, Livepool
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Dear Sir David
my nanny told me you were doing this, mummy has helped me write this. Do you think Dragons were real and existed? I would like to know when will the new studio open at the nataural History musuem because i cant wait to go and see it, and will you be doing any book signings in 2009.
Thank you
Rebecca, 7 Rayleigh Essex
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Sir David,
I have no questions for you, I just saw an opportunity to fulfill one of my lifelong "to do" items and that is to say thank you.
You have inspired, moved, educated and enlightened us with your passion, knowledge and enthusiasm.
Thank you for showing us a world we would never have known without you.
Sincerely,
Emily Cooper
Bredgar, Kent.
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Sir David:
I know you are concerned about the conservation of various species. I'm not sure what your view of Darwin is, but don't you think that conservationists have a lot in common with creationists, in that they both seem to be rejecting the theory of evolution?
Alan Boyle
Cambridge
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Is the old black and white film, still available,
of the GIANT Iguana, that walked through the camp, back in the 60's.
When you were in Borneo.
I remember it very well.
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Dear Sir David
In many years to come,how would you like to rememberd? Can i just say thank you for all the years of enlightenment and intrigue into our beautiful BLUE PLANET.
Live long and prosper
Mark,Wolverhampton
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Sir David
Out of all the programs you have made,which would you say was your favourite and why?
Andy
Wolverhampton
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Sir David
I especially liked your film series ' The Life of Birds'. Here's the question:
At what age did you become interested in nature and how.
Thanks
Cameron Finlay
Thames Ditton
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Dear Sir David,
I too have an enthusiasm for all living creatures and intend to study Zoology at University next year. Are there still opportunities to work for the bbc or other broadcasters and what is the best route?
Yours Sincerely,
Alice Nicholson, 17
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Hi,
How would you advise to get into this career, as its something i am very passionate about?
many thanks
Holly
Suffolk
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Dear Sir David
I have been watching you on the tv for many years and have enjoyed every minute. What is the most amazing experience that you had in all your years working with animals?
Thanks Alison
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Dear Sir David,
Do you think there could be a connection between the elusive redhaired Almasty,hominid of the Caucasus,and Neanderthal man - also said to be redhaired?
Jennifer
Amersham
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Sir David, Watched your programmes avidly over the years - thank you so much. I know one lady who has you on her prayer list every week to ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you as you seem to have missed the point over the years that the use of the word "creation" actually implies a "Creator". Is it possible for you to give any credance to the statement that the world was created by God and He is still involved with it?
Best wishes -
Paul R. B. Coventry
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What were your emotions Sir David, when the Silverback Gorillas accepted you into their group?
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I have long admired your work but have never understood your dismissal of the existence of God. Being in your privileged position of seeing nature at work and having a scientific brain how can you possibly say that all the wonders that you see 'just happened'? You claim that you base your belief on scientific evidence. Why can't God be a 'scientist'? there are many scientists who also look at the scientific evidence and yet are fully convinced of the existence of God and are sincere committed Christians.
And no one has yet explained to me how a sense of humour, language, reason and the whole thought process 'evolved'.
on the subject of evidence - there is evidence that Jesus Christ was a real person so how do you deal with him and his teaching about God?
Sorry - that's more than one question!
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In my youth, I wrote a rather cranky letter on conservation to Sir David care of the BBC. I received, shortly thereafter, a lengthy, hand-written reply from Sir David himself, addressing my points and offering advice. I still have that letter and I have never forgotten the kindness and consideration of its author. Sir David is a true gentleman, a rare breed indeed, and I will always hold him in the greatest esteem and affection.
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Sir David
One of my families favourite clips featuring your jungle exploits was the effect of some over ripe fruit on monkeys who appeared 'to have had one too many'...
Do you recall observing the animal behaviour and is it available on a BBC DVD, as it was so funny?
Martin
Queenborough
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You seem a calm, laid-back sort of guy, what's your secret, how do you handle a high pressure situation?
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You seem very calm and laid back. What's your secret, how do you handle a high pressure situation?
Andrew, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
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Dear Sir David
I have been a huge fan of yours forever. I wondered which series you enjoyed making the most and if there is an environment or group of organisms that you would still like to investigate.
I would really enjoy a series on micro-organisms and disease.
Thanks
Brenda
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Dear David,
My girlfriend Nic and I have been captivated with wonder and delight over the years! You have revealed the dramatic behaviour, beauty and spectacular diversity of Planet Earth and we thank you very much for doing so!
Question 1: Of all the habitats on Earth that you have visited, which ones do you have a particular fondness for?
Question 2: I am looking to travel to the island of Borneo in a few years and am aware that you have been lucky enough to visit many times. What plants and animals are well worth seeing in your opinion and what makes Borneo special for you?
Anthony & Nic, Exmouth, Devon
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Is there any chance of a re-showing of Fabulous Animals and/or a re-print of the book?
jan from Warwick
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Dear David
I have been studying chemical communication in various mammals, when an offer to work on the pretty smelly kiwi turned my attention to the fact that chemical communication actually might also be quite widespread in birds and may just as well serve as a communicational tool.
Meanwhile I am studying the sweet but strong smell in the critical endangered Kakapo and we hope to be able to use this smell to turn the tide for this species.
What was the smelliest bird you have ever come across?
Anna, New Zealand
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I understand that you have turned down an invitation to debate creation v evolution to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin in Shrewsbury in february 2009.
Can you please explain why you feel unable to defend your often stated position.
J E BARNES
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As a child, I loved watching wildlife programmes. I remember Hans and Lottie Hass, Armand and Michaela Dennis, Jacques Cousteau- there seemed to be so many! But, my two everlasting heroes were Sir Peter Scott [whose paintings fascinated me and inspired my love for birds] and yourself who gave me and millions others chance to see things we could never see under our own steam. It was you who made me see that our planet is very small and we are wrecking it through our greed. My family have all been brought up to respect the wild world as much as possible and to recognise it as essential for our own existence. You gave me that knowledge.
I wanted to ask you, and this must be quite a mundane question but I am so thrilled to be able to 'talk' to you, if you inspired me, who or what inspired you in your childhood to become so intensley involved with wildlife and our shared planet?
Thankyou, Sir David for sharing that enthusiasm with us all and inspiring us in our small ways. The day you stop broadcasting will be a very sad day.
Pauline
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I would like to ask Sir David whether he thinks it is more important to protect the wildlife of southern African countries by creating game parks for tourists and animal lovers rather than giving land and space to the disinherited indigenous KhoeSan peoples.
Dennis
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I meant to add to my comment 55 that I was Dennis from London!
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Dear Sir David : you have been such an inspiration to me bringing glimpses of places I can only dream of visiting. Through such great naturalists as yourself, I have a deep love of nature and the natural world.
Although you have travelled to so many wonderful places, which would be your favourite place to visit in the British Isles?
It will be another delight to see you this evening. Take care. Jane Smart
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Dear Sir David
Would you give me your views on the cloaning of mice from animals frozen upto 10 years ago and in particular whether you think they should even consider cloaning mamoths or indeed any other extinct animals as reported on BBC news ealier this week.
John from Doncaster
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Dear, dear Sir David,
How does it feel to be loved and admired by so many people?
With the greatest respect,
Emily Cooper
Bredgar, Kent.
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Instead of only barely scratching the surface, is there any hope for a completely different approach to preserving endangered species and to significantly reduce or prevent the accelerating disappearance largely caused by the demands of an unstoppable (almost exponential) increase in human population, possibly by establishing many more alternate ecological unit preserves in the developed world.
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Onshore wind farms - I believe they do more harm than good given the amount of concrete used to make them and their sites, transportation of them to site, damage to flying birds, noise etc. Here in the West country an awful lot are being built only to the benefit of landowners and developers who are subsidised by the govt. I'm all for renewable energy but not this source! What do you think please?
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If Sir David Attenborough could clone an animal from the past, what would that animal be and why?
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Sir David,
My son Oliver is mad about nature and wants to follow in your footsteps with a similar career. What advice can you offer.
Thank you.
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Sir David,
do you think that we have reached the point with climate change, that the North and South poles will disappear in the next century and the consequence will be a massive loss of land masses and increase the rise in sea level Displacing 35 to 40,000,000 people?
Thank you.
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When you reach a mature age in life and realise you still don't really know the answer to a basic question, it's sometimes too embarrassing to ask anyone: Is a slug a snail without a house? To Sir David from Marytom, Somerset.
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Dear Sir David
I know I'm too late to ask a question, but I wanted to add to the long list of people who have already expressed what an inspiration you have been to me.
Your obvious sense of wonder at nature seems unjaded by all that you have experienced. The genuine delight that you show on screen warms the heart!
Your programmes have not just inspired a passion for natural history, but to remember to look at the world through fresh eyes.
Many Thanks
Rachel, Manchester
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Dear Sir David' Can you please tell me how complicated the DNA of the very first life on earth was and could it feed and reproduce from the very first day , if you cannot the theory is not proven and therefore it should not be used to misslead school children ,they deserve better !
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Garden Spiders feed on trapped flies, bug etc.
What do the millions of very small baby spiders live on until they are able to trap flies?
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Can you please ask Sir David if there has been any developments since his documentary on insects in amber. I was fascinated and watch it over and over.
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Thank you to everybody who submitted a question. We picked our top few, and recorded an interview with Sir David after his appearance on The One Show. We hope to publish it on this page and in the Backstage area as soon as possible. Hopefully tomorrow... so check back soon.
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