Chris Packham

Packham was born in Southampton, Hampshire, on 4 May 1961.{{cite web |last1=Packham |first1=Chris |title=Birthday thanks! |url=https://www.facebook.com/ChrisGPackham/videos/481620589721446/ |website=Facebook |access-date=17 October 2021 |language=en |date=4 May 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/presenter/ |title=BBC Inside Out – Presenter profile : Chris Packham |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=BBC}} He was educated at Bitterne Park Secondary School,{{cite web|url=http://hampshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/chris-packham-photographer-presenter-inside-out-13845/|title=CHRIS PACKHAM RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS|work=Hampshire Life|publisher=Archant Life Ltd.|access-date=30 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719152537/http://hampshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/chris-packham-photographer-presenter-inside-out-13845/|archive-date=19 July 2011}} Taunton's College{{cite web|url=http://www.tauntons.ac.uk/contentThreeColumn.aspx?contentid=163|title=Past Student – Chris Packham|website=Taunton's College|access-date=4 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725134530/http://www.tauntons.ac.uk/contentThreeColumn.aspx?contentid=163|archive-date=25 July 2011}} and the University of Southampton, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology.{{cite web |title=Chris Packham {{!}} Biological Sciences |url=https://www.southampton.ac.uk/biosci/alumni/our_alumni/chris_packham.page |website=University of Southampton |access-date=14 September 2024}} After graduating, he cancelled his study towards a Doctorate of Philosophy to train as a wildlife cameraman.{{cite web |url=http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/biog.htm |title=Biog |website=www.chrispackham.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2010}}

File:Chris, Michaela and Martin -RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, England -Springwatch media launch -23May2014.jpg and Martin Hughes-Games, in May 2014]]

In 1983, Packham was a part-time camera assistant for wildlife filmmaker Stephen Bolwell,{{Cite web|url=http://www.stephenbolwell.com/?p=226|title=Wandering the Borders of Believability|last=Stephen|first=Bolwell|date=14 December 2014|website=Take A Picture – Save the Planet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042704/http://www.stephenbolwell.com/?p=226|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=18 November 2017}} working with him on A Toad's Tale.{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenbolwell.com/?tag=toads|title=Toads|work=stephenbolwell.com}}

From 1983 to 1985, he worked on The Living Planet series and The Living Isles for the BBC and Ourselves and Other Animals, a series for Channel 4.

Packham is known for his work as a television presenter, which began in 1986 with the BAFTA-winning BBC1 children's programme The Really Wild Show (1986–1995) and nature photography series Wild Shots on Channel 4. He also wrote and presented the BBC One series The X Creatures and BBC Two's Hands on Nature and Nature's Calendar. Other television series included Go Wild (Live) and Travel UK for Central Television, Nature's Detectives (BBC),{{Cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e80303e|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043536/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e80303e|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2017|title=Nature Detectives|website=British Films Forever|access-date=18 November 2017}} Really Wild Guide (BBC2) and The Great Dinosaur Trail, which he wrote and presented for LTV Carlton Television, Watchout Series II and III as lead presenter, Animal Zone (BBC2), Postcards from the Wild and An Evening with Chris Packham for Discovery Animal Planet. Other network television programmes included Flying Gourmets Guide (BBC1), The Great British Birdwatch (Live) for BBC, Smokescreen for Harlech Television, Beachwatch (Live), Flamingo Watch (Live), Heading South (Live) for the BBC, and Behind the Scenes of the Lost World for Meridian Television.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

During this time, Packham was involved in numerous regional television series, such as The London Wildlife Challenge for ITV Carlton Television, Anything Goes (Live), Birdwatch with Chris Packham, The Pier on Film and Wildwatch with Chris Packham for Meridian Television, and Go for Green for BSB Satellite and Cable. Regional television programmes included: Through Two Cameras, The Wild Garden, The Wood Worker, The Disappearing Down, Jewels in the Sand, Wildfowl Seasons and The Keepers of the Forest.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

He was the lead presenter on BBC South's Inside Out, and has also worked on BBC South East's Inside Out with Kaddy Lee-Preston.

Since June 2009, he has co-presented the BBC Two nature programme Springwatch – and its sister programmes BBC Autumnwatch and BBC Winterwatch – along with various others.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/springwatch/2009/03/springwatch_2009_new_presenter.html|title=Springwatch 2009 – new presenter team announced|author=Tim Scoones|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2009|access-date=21 March 2009}} He has also led yearly birdwatching tours in The Gambia.{{Cite web|title=Birdwatching Holidays {{!}} Holiday Ideas|url=https://www.gambia.co.uk/holiday-ideas/birdwatching-holidays.aspx|access-date=1 February 2021|website=www.gambia.co.uk|language=en-gb}}

He formed the production company Head Over Heels with producer Stuart Woodman, making wildlife programmes for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC.{{cite news|url=http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/biog2.htm|title=Chris Packham biography|publisher=David Foster Management|year=2009|access-date=14 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2000/02/19/Hampshire+Archive/5630615.The_Really_Wild_man_grows_up/|title=The Really Wild man grows up|newspaper=Southern Daily Echo|date=19 February 2000|access-date=14 March 2013}}

In 2011, Packham won an episode of the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind. His specialist subject was the Battle of Rorke's Drift.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018x171|title=Episode 3, 2011/2012, Celebrity Mastermind – BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=17 October 2017}} He also presented the BBC programme The Animal's Guide to Britain.

In 2013, he presented a four-part documentary series entitled Secrets of Our Living Planet, which demonstrated the complex ecological relationships upon which apparently unconnected species, such as tigers and crabs, depend.{{cite web|title=Secrets of our Living Planet|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k740l|website=www.bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 September 2015}}

In 2014, Packham presented a two-part BBC documentary in which he, Martha Kearney and Adam Hart examined in detail the behaviour of the honeybee,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04b7b70|title=Hive Alive|work=BBC|access-date=17 October 2017}} as well as a BBC series on animal cognition, called Inside the Animal Mind, which partly featured his own pet dogs.{{cite web|title=Inside The Animal Mind|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/82Vr7kWZFlZvnhQVf7LzQ0/chris-packham|website=www.bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 September 2015}} In 2014, he presented a 10-part series The Wonder of Animals for the BBC. It included episodes on birds of prey, dolphins, crocodiles, great apes, elephants, foxes, ants, big cats, bears and penguins.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04dq51x/episodes/guide|title=The wonder of animals|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=BBC 4}}

In 2016, Packham co-presented a two-part series for the BBC, Cats v. Dogs: Which Is Best?, along with Liz Bonnin. The programmes compared cat behaviour and relationships with humans, against those of dogs, in the format of a mock contest. It also explored some recent research on the subject.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06zz80d |title=Cats v. Dogs; Which is Best?|publisher=BBC|access-date=11 February 2016}}

In 2017, Packham co-presented Earth Live on Nat Geo Wild with Jane Lynch and Phil Keogan. The programme was a live journey exploring some of the most spectacular wildlife on the planet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.natgeotv.com/uk/shows/natgeowild/earth-live|title=Natgeo Wild. Earth Live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704080004/http://www.natgeotv.com/uk/shows/natgeowild/earth-live|archive-date=4 July 2017|url-status=live}} He also worked with Jaguar Land Rover on a promotional podcast series called The Discovery Adventures.{{Cite web|title=Jaguar Land Rover tests immersive, adventure podcasts to drive a Discovery brand narrative into other cars|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/09/21/jaguar-land-rover-tests-immersive-adventure-podcasts-drive-discovery-brand-narrative|access-date=1 February 2021|website=The Drum|language=en}}

In October 2017, he presented a BBC Television documentary about his experience as a high-functioning person with Asperger's, Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me. In the programme, Packham examined critically the approach taken to autism and Asperger syndrome in the United States.{{Cite episode |title=Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09b1zbb |access-date=17 October 2017 |network=BBC Television |date=17 October 2017 |series=1}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/oct/18/chris-packham-aspergers-and-me-review-brave-ballsy-film|title=Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me review – a brave, ballsy film|last=Wollaston|first=Sam|date=18 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=19 October 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

In January 2018 he presented BBC Two's The Real T-Rex, in which he attempted to rebuild the most authentic Tyrannosaurus rex ever seen, from the bones up.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09ksl99/the-real-t-rex-with-chris-packham|title=The Real T rex with Chris Packham|publisher=bbc.co.uk|date=2 January 2018 |access-date=4 January 2018}} Also in January he presented Chris Packham: In Search of the Lost Girl on BBC Two, in which he highlighted the impact of palm oil consumption on the rainforests of Sumatra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09qjlfs|title=BBC Two Chris Packham: In Search of the Lost Girl|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=12 April 2018}}

In August 2018, Packham co-hosted Yellowstone Live on National Geographic Channel with TV host Josh Elliott, a four-night event showcasing the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with feeds from dozens of live cameras and seven camera crews.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/yellowstone-live/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803084423/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/yellowstone-live/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2018|title=Watch Yellowstone Live on National Geographic|website=Watch Yellowstone Live on FOX|access-date=7 August 2018}}

In March 2019, Packham presented, along with Liz Bonnin and Steve Backshall, four-part series Blue Planet Live.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0722ql7|title=Blue Planet Live|website=BBC One|access-date=21 October 2020}}

In 2020, he narrated a three-part documentary series called Primates.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hrfv|title=Primates|website=BBC One|access-date=21 October 2020}} Along with Ella Al-Shamahi, he also co-presented Waterhole: Africa's Animal Oasis, which premiered in December of the same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000pz4r|title=Waterhole: Africa's Animal Oasis|website=BBC Two|access-date=29 December 2020}}

In 2021, Packham presented a six-part BBC Two documentary series called Animal Einsteins; the series premiered on 21 February 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/bbcstudios/2021/bbc-studios-natural-history-unit-announces-new-six-part-series-chris-packhams-animal-einsteins|title=BBC Studios Natural History Unit announces new six-part series Chris Packham's Animal Einsteins|website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|access-date=5 February 2021}} In July 2021, a one-hour special titled Chris Packham: A Walk That Made Me, in which Packham walked a familiar path in Hampshire, premiered on BBC Two.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000xqgp|title=Chris Packham: A Walk That Made Me|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=28 July 2021}} Shortly after, he co-presented a six-part series alongside stepdaughter Megan McCubbin titled Chris and Meg's Wild Summer.{{Cite web|title=BBC Two – Chris and Meg's Wild Summer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z8w0|access-date=10 November 2021|website=BBC|language=en-GB}}

In April 2022, he presented a segment filmed in Iceland for the first episode of BBC's Our Changing Planet.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016t0b|title=Our Changing Planet, Episode 1|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=28 November 2022}} In August 2022, Packham co-presented with Megan McCubbin BBC's Earth Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ezdfbp|title=Prom 53: Earth Prom|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=23 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/envmzc|title=Prom 54: Earth Prom|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=23 August 2022}}

Packham narrated the three-part BBC nature series Dogs in the Wild: Meet the Family, that aired from late December 2022 to early January 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/dogs-in-the-wild-meet-the-family|title=Dogs In The Wild: Meet The Family narrator Chris Packham and producers reveal secrets of the world of wild dogs|website=bbc.com/mediacentre|accessdate=21 January 2023}}

In February 2023, Packham presented Inside Our Autistic Minds, a two-part BBC documentary about autism.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47|title=Inside Our Autistic Minds|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=11 February 2023}}

In June 2023, Channel 4 commissioned Chris Packham: is It Time to Break the Law?; a documentary in which Packham examined whether climate change protestors are justified in breaking the law for their cause.{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-announces-climate-emergency-season|title=Channel 4 announces Climate Emergency Season|website=channel4.com/press|access-date=11 June 2023}} The documentary, released in September 2023, saw Packham accompany two Just Stop Oil protestors and film them daubing the headquarters of Policy Exchange with paint. Packham ultimately declared that he supported climate activists who were willing to commit imprisonable offences but did not intend to do so himself.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/20/chris-packham-is-it-time-to-break-the-law-review-the-bravest-most-anguished-tv-of-the-year|title=Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law? review – the bravest, most anguished TV of the year|website=The Guardian|last=Seale|first=Jack|date=20 September 2023}}

In June 2023, Packham joined the cast of the fifth series of Celebrity Gogglebox, alongside his daughter Megan McCubbin, and returned for the sixth series in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Chris Packham and stepdaughter Megan join Celebrity Gogglebox line-up |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/celebrity-gogglebox-chris-packham-megan-newsupdate/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}

Packham presented Earth, a five-part documentary series that aired on BBC Two during July and August 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/earth|title=Earth starts on Monday 17 July at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer|website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|date=10 July 2023|access-date=15 August 2023}} Packham will present Evolution, an upcoming five-part five-part documentary series commissioned by the BBC.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/bbc-factual-new-science-evolution-horizon-secret-genius|title=BBC Factual announces exciting slate of Science programmes|website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|date=10 July 2024|accessdate=14 July 2024}}

In October 2024, Packham became the first non-US-based director of the Climate Emergency Fund.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/04/chris-packham-appointed-to-board-of-climate-emergency-fund|title=Chris Packham urges protesters to stop blocking roads as he takes climate role|last=Gayle|first=Damien|date=4 October 2024|work=The Guardian|accessdate=4 October 2024}}

Packham is president of the Hawk Conservancy Trust, the Bat Conservation Trust,{{cite web|author=Tim Scoones|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/springwatch/2009/03/springwatch_2009_new_presenter.html|title=Springwatch Blog: Springwatch 2009 – new presenter team announced|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2009|access-date=4 June 2010}} the Hampshire Ornithological Society, the British Trust for Ornithology,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bto.org/about-bto/governance|title=British Trust for Ornithology|date=18 February 2016|access-date=5 December 2017}} and the Southampton Natural History Society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/charities|title=Chris Packham – Charites|access-date=5 December 2017}} He was president of the Hawk and Owl Trust between 2010 and 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://hawkandowl.org/new-president-for-trust/|title=Hawk and Owl Trust.|date=22 April 2010|website=Hawk and Owl Trust|access-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108205338/http://hawkandowl.org/new-president-for-trust/|archive-date=8 November 2017|url-status=dead}} Packham was president of the RSPCA from 2023 to 2024.{{Cite news |date=21 December 2024 |title=Packham quits RSPCA over abattoir cruelty claims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv381edvg9o |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=BBC News}} In December 2024 Packham and Caroline Lucas resigned from the RSPCA after accusing it of "legitimising cruelty".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/chris-packham-and-caroline-lucas-accuse-rspca-of-legitimising-cruelty|title=Chris Packham and Caroline Lucas accuse RSPCA of 'legitimising cruelty'|first=Jem|last=Bartholomew|date=21 December 2024|via=The Guardian}}

He is vice-president of the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation, the Brent Lodge Bird & Wildlife Trust,{{cite web|url=http://www.brentlodge.org/?link=2&item=88|title=Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust|publisher=Brentlodge.org|date=3 April 2010|access-date=4 June 2010}} The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Grace Secondary School (Sudan).

Packham is patron of Population Matters (formerly the Optimum Population Trust);{{cite web|title=Population Matters welcomes Chris Packham as new patron|url=http://populationmatters.org/2011/population-matters-news/population-matters-welcomes-chris-packham-patron/|access-date=29 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202013706/http://populationmatters.org/2011/population-matters-news/population-matters-welcomes-chris-packham-patron/|archive-date=2 February 2016}} Africat;{{Cite web|url=http://www.africat.org/patrons/chris-packham|title=Africat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117105521/http://www.africat.org/patrons/chris-packham|archive-date=17 November 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=5 December 2017}} the Sholing Valleys Study Centre; the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group, which manages Woolston Eyes Bird Reserve;{{cite web|url=http://www.woolstoneyes.co.uk/newsletter-story.php?id=14|title=Woolston Eyes – Bird Reserve and Conservation Group|date=December 2010|access-date=4 January 2012}} the Humane Research Trust;{{Cite web|url=http://www.humaneresearch.org.uk/patrons/|title=The Humane Research Trust|access-date=5 December 2017}} the Fox Project;{{Cite web|url=http://foxproject.org.uk/about-us|title=The Fox Project – About Us|website=The Fox Project|access-date=5 December 2017}} ORCA,{{Cite web|url=http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/about/partners|title=ORCA – Partners|website=ORCA|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206005804/http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/about/partners|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=dead}} the Seahorse Trust;{{Cite web|url=https://www.theseahorsetrust.org/2011/04/07/chris-packham/|title=The Seahorse Trust – Chris Packham|website=The Seahorse Trust|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206140005/https://www.theseahorsetrust.org/2011/04/07/chris-packham/|url-status=dead}} the NatureWatch Foundation;{{Cite web|url=https://naturewatch.org/about/our-patrons|title=The NatureWatch Foundation – Our Patrons|website=The NatureWatch Foundation|access-date=5 December 2017}} Raptor Rescue;{{Cite web|url=http://www.raptorrescue.org.uk/about-us/raptor-rescue-patrons/|title=Raptor Rescue Patrons|website=Raptor Rescue|access-date=5 December 2017}} the Fleet Pond Society; and Birding for All.{{Cite web|url=http://www.birdingforall.com/patrons/|title=Patrons – Birding For All|website=Birding For All|access-date=5 December 2017}}

Packham became the Ambassador for the National Autistic Society in October 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism|title=What is autism? |quote="The greatest discomfort for autistic people can be the social one. For me, I was confused by the way people behaved." Chris Packham, CBE and National Autistic Society Ambassador |website=www.autism.org.uk |access-date=8 September 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/i/events/920211990739587073?lang=en |title=Chris Packham is our charity's new ambassador |work=twitter.com |date=17 October 2017 |access-date=8 September 2022}}

Packham co-founded Wild Justice with Mark Avery and Ruth Tingay in February 2019,{{cite news |last1=Weston |first1=Phoebe |title=Wild Justice: the 'noisy' activists still ruffling feathers two years on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/14/wild-justice-the-noisy-activists-still-ruffling-country-feathers-two-years-on-aoe |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=14 February 2021 |language=en}} a not for profit company limited by guarantee which aims to ensure that the legal system in the UK protects wildlife.{{cite web |title=About Wild Justice |url=https://wildjustice.org.uk/about/ |website=Wild Justice |access-date=17 October 2021 |language=en}}

In 2011 he was awarded the Dilys Breese Medal, by the British Trust for Ornithology, for his "outstanding work in promoting science to new audiences".{{cite journal|last=Pitches|first=Adrian|title='Science geek' picks up BTO medal|journal=British Birds|volume=104|issue=1|page=52|issn=0007-0335}}

In December 2013, Packham was made an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Southampton, having originally graduated from the university more than 30 years earlier.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-25439321|work=BBC News|title=Chris Packham receives honorary doctorate in Southampton|date=19 December 2013}}

In December 2014, Packham was voted "Conservation Hero of the Year" by readers of Birdwatch magazine in association with the online BirdGuides website for his work in publicising the illegal slaughter in Malta of millions of migrating birds.{{cite web |date=30 December 2014 |title=Chris Packham is voted Conservation Hero of the Year |url=https://www.birdguides.com/news/chris-packham-is-voted-conservation-hero-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718001348/https://www.birdguides.com/news/chris-packham-is-voted-conservation-hero-of-the-year/ |archive-date=18 July 2018 |access-date=14 September 2015 |publisher=BirdGuides}}

In October 2016 he received a Wildscreen Panda Award for Outstanding Achievement.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wildscreen.org/about/news/ivory-trade-expos%C3%A9-and-chris-packham-earn-top-honours-at-wildscreen/|title=The Ivory Game Game Wins Wild Screen Golden Panda Award.|date=13 October 2016|website=Wildscreen|access-date=5 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-10-14/chris-packham-honoured-with-lifetime-achievement-award-at-green-oscars|title=Springwatch presenter Chris Packham honoured with lifetime achievement award at Gree Oscars|date=14 October 2016|work=Radio Times|access-date=5 December 2017}}

Packham's memoir Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, published by Ebury Press in April 2017, was voted the UK's Favourite Nature Book in a poll run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in January 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://ahrc.ukri.org/newsevents/news/chris-packhams-fingers-in-the-sparkle-jar-voted-uks-favourite-nature-book1/|title=Arts and Humanities Research Council – UK's Favourite Nature Book|website=ahrc.ukri.org|access-date=12 April 2018}}

The BBC Two documentary Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me broadcast in October 2017 received the 2018 Broadcasting Press Guild Award for the best single documentary.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/news/chris-packham-wins-a-broadcasting-press-guild-award-2018-for-the-best-single-documentary|title=Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me wins 2018 BPG Award for best single documentary|website=www.chrispackham.co.uk|access-date=12 April 2018}}

In July 2018 he received an honorary doctorate from Royal Holloway, University of London, for his outstanding services to wildlife conservation.{{cite news|url=https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/news/chris-packham-awarded-honorary-doctorate-from-royal-holloway/|title=Chris Packham awarded Honorary Doctorate from Royal Holloway|date=17 July 2018}}

Packham was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to nature conservation.{{London Gazette |issue=62507 |date=29 December 2018 |page=N9 |supp=1}}

In 2009, during an interview with the Radio Times, Packham suggested that the giant panda was too expensive to save and "should be allowed to become extinct" so that funds could be redistributed to protecting other animals and habitats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2009-09-22/chris-packham-let-pandas-die/|title=Autumnwatch's Chris Packham: Let Pandas Die|work=Radio times|access-date=10 December 2017}} He made a comment, in September 2009, saying he would "eat the last panda" if doing so would retroactively redistribute the money spent on panda conservation. He later apologised for upsetting people.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/hands-off-the-pandas-1791626.html|title=Hands off the pandas|date=23 September 2009|website=The Independent}}

In 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2021, he criticised the TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! for its mistreatment of animals.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/dec/04/itv-television|title=Chris Packham gets really wild over I'm a Celebrity |date=4 December 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/chris-packhams-open-letter-to-ant-and-dec-calling-for-end-to-i-m-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here-9853650.html|title=Chris Packham's Open Letter to Ant and Dec Calling For an End to I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here|date=11 November 2014|work=The Independent|access-date=10 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/entertainment/tv/chris-packham-slams-im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here/ar-BBFLZw6?li=AA5a2k|title=Chris Packham Slams I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here|date=27 November 2017|work=MSN Entertainment|access-date=10 December 2017}}

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2010,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/8070601/Chris-Packham-says-control-the-population-to-save-wildlife.html|title=Chris Packham says control the population to save wildlife|date=19 October 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 December 2017}} Packham said that "The human population is sowing the seeds of a mass extinction event" and advocated for humans reducing their population. In 2017, he again expressed this view{{Cite web|url=https://www.populationmatters.org/chris-packham-speaks-impact-population/|title=Population Matters. Chris Packham speaks out on impact of population.|date=11 January 2017|website=Population Matters|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211053514/https://www.populationmatters.org/chris-packham-speaks-impact-population/|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=dead}} saying that if every woman could be emancipated, birth rates would drop.{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/787302/chris-packham-uk-overcrowded-uneucated-women-too-many-children|title=Chris Packham: UK too overcrowded as uneducated women must be taught to stop having babies.|date=3 April 2017|work=The Sunday Express|access-date=10 December 2017}}

In 2014, he self-funded a film crew to produce a series to highlight the mass killing of migrating birds by hunters in Malta.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/04/stop-slaughter-of-wild-birds-malta-chris-packham|title=Why I'm fighting to stop the slaughter of Malta's wild birds|date=4 May 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2017}} In April 2017, he was arrested and charged with assault while filming on the Maltese island of Gozo.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/19/chris-packham-charged-in-malta-after-confrontation-with-bird-hunters|title=Chris Packham charged in Malta after bird hunt confrontation.|date=19 April 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2017}} The case was dismissed after video footage evidence was revealed, with Packham saying "We had good evidence which showed that the boot was very firmly on the other foot – that we were the party that were abused in the situation. It serves to highlight what we came here to do, which was to throw attention on the fact that the Birds Directive – the legislation which is in place to protect birds all across Europe – is being abused here in Malta."{{cite news |title=Springwatch's Chris Packham cleared of Malta assault charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39652901 |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=BBC News |date=20 April 2017}}

In 2015, Packham signed a letter to MPs to block the proposed changes to amend the Hunting Act 2004.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-urges-snp-to-abstain-from-vote-to-weaken-fox-hunting-ban-10386502.html|title=Fox Hunting Ban: SNP says it will defeat Conservative plan to relax ban.|date=13 July 2015|work=The Independent|access-date=10 December 2017}} He has worked to raise awareness of the illegal persecution of birds of prey in the UK.{{Cite web|url=https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/southwest/archive/2017/07/31/chris-packham-to-speak-out-against-illegal-persecution-of-birds-of-prey.aspx|title=Chris Packham to speak out against the illegal persecution of birds of prey.|date=31 July 2017|website=RSPB|access-date=10 December 2017}} He resigned as President of the Hawk and Owl Trust in 2015 citing "Personal differences over ideas of policy".{{Cite web|url=https://www.birdguides.com/news/hawk-and-owl-trust-lose-chris-packham-and-court-controversy/|title=Hawk and Owl Trust lose Chris Packham and court controversy|date=13 February 2015|website=Birdguides|access-date=10 December 2017}} Later in 2015 Packham wrote an article in BBC Wildlife magazine complaining about the silence of many of Britain's leading conservation organisations on the issues of fox hunting, badger culling and hen harrier persecution. This elicited a public response from the Countryside Alliance calling for the BBC to sack him.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/07/countryside-alliance-bbc-sack-chris-packham|title=Countryside Alliance urges BBC to sack Chris Packham in conservation row|date=7 September 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2017}}

Packham organised the writing of a manifesto for UK wildlife in 2018 which he delivered to Downing Street via The Peoples Walk for Wildlife. The event raised awareness of the loss of wildlife in the UK with around 10,000 people turning up to march from Hyde Park to Downing Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/22/hundreds-march-on-whitehall-to-call-for-end-to-war-on-wildlife|title=Thousands march on Whitehall to call for end to 'war on wildlife'|work= The Guardian|date=22 September 2018}}

Packham took part in Veganuary in 2019 and subsequently decided to remain a vegan, following three decades of vegetarianism.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Chris|date=3 February 2019|title=I did Veganuary, and now I'm staying vegan. Here's what I've learned so far {{!}} Chris Packham|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/03/veganuary-vegan-food-farming|access-date=7 January 2021|issn=0261-3077}} Later that year, Packham stated he would no-longer take internal flights and that he had purchased an electric car.{{cite web |last1=Dove |first1=Ella |title=Chris Packham explains how we can heal our planet |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a34354159/chris-packham-environmental-advice/ |website=Good Housekeeping |access-date=17 October 2021 |date=13 October 2020}}

Packham opposes the currently under construction High Speed 2 project and launched legal action against it in March 2020, without success.{{cite news|date=3 March 2020|title=HS2: Chris Packham launches legal challenge to rail link|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51722251|access-date=1 February 2021}}{{cite news|date=31 July 2020|title=Chris Packham loses bid for legal challenge over HS2|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-53616109|access-date=1 February 2021}}

Packham's activism in the cause of wildlife conservation has resulted in both online and offline harassment and physical threats against him, escalating in 2019, after he worked with Wild Justice in challenging the legality of general licences issued by Natural England for landowners to shoot a range of wild birds.{{cite news |title=Chris Packham receives 'calculated' death threat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48105287 |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=BBC News |date=30 April 2019}}

In October 2021, Packham's home was the object of a suspected arson attack which destroyed the gates to his property. Hampshire Constabulary stated that it was investigating the incident, but found no suspects, and laid no charges.{{cite news |title=Chris Packham: Fire attack on New Forest home will not sway me |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-58861252 |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=BBC News |date=10 October 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Charlie |title=Chris Packham vows to continue activism after arson attack on home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/10/chris-packham-vows-to-continue-activism-after-arson-attack-on-home |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=10 October 2021 |language=en}}

Packham commented that the attack was an escalation in the harassment he has received over some years, and that discovering dead animals, including foxes and badgers, tied to his gate was now a "normal occurrence". He said such "activity had escalated to the point where he now feared for his life and the safety of his family", but that it would not stop his activism, and publicising of the conservation causes he believed in.

Between April 2020 and November 2021, the website Country Squire Magazine published several articles, videos and tweets attacking Packham. He sued for defamation in the High Court, and in May 2023 Judge Pushpinder Saini ruled that all the allegations were false and defamatory, and awarded him damages of £90,000 plus costs.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/25/chris-packham-wins-libel-claim-against-website-that-accused-him-of-lying |title=Chris Packham awarded £90,000 damages in libel case against website |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Haronn |last=Siddique |date=25 May 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/62323386b50db9fc0c9261f0 |title=Packman v Wightman and Ors (Preliminary Issues) |website=casemine.com |date=10 March 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Packham-v-Wightman-Judgment-250523.pdf |title=Packman v Wightman and Ors |website=judiciary.uk |date=25 May 2023}}

Packham is the older brother of fashion designer Jenny Packham, and grew up in Hampshire with natural history as his main passion. He found his time at school very difficult, being socially excluded and regularly bullied by fellow pupils.

In his teenage years, he was responsible for the care of a kestrel, which he took from the wild and the death of which was a severe low point in his life. At university, he embraced the punk rock scene.

Packham has had Ménière's disease since his late 30s.{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/525496/Chris-Packham-brain-tumour-fear|title='My dizziness got so bad I feared it was a brain tumour,' says Chris Packham|first=Pat|last=Hagan|date=21 October 2014|work=Daily Express|access-date=18 October 2017}}

In 2003, at the age of 42, Packham began seeing a therapist after the death of his dog. As his work with the therapist concluded in 2005, Packham was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-05-18/chris-packham-on-coping-with-aspergers-grief-and-why-he-owes-his-dogs-his-life/ |title=Chris Packham on coping with Asperger's, grief and why he owes his dogs his life|last=McLean|first=Craig|date=18 May 2016|website=RadioTimes.com|publisher=Intermediate Media Company|access-date=16 February 2017}} He has also stated that he has had severe depression.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/30/wildlife-presenter-chris-packham-struggle-depression|title=Wildlife presenter Chris Packham tells of struggle with depression|last=Press Association|date=30 April 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 April 2016}}

Packham has owned a property in Bordeaux, France.{{Cite web|date=13 July 2011|title=A Really Wild Life – A Talk with Chris Packham|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/wildlife/a-really-wild-life-a-talk-with-chris-packham-7096584|access-date=14 March 2021|website=Great British Life|language=en-UK}}{{Cite web|last=Cassells|first=Sarah|date=25 May 2010|title=Why Chris Packham is wild about Norfolk|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/why-chris-packham-is-wild-about-norfolk-455432|access-date=14 March 2021|website=Eastern Daily Press|language=en-UK}} In 2016 Packham lived in the New Forest with his pet poodle, Scratchy.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/29/wildlife-presenter-chris-packham-reveals-how-his-pets-deaths-mad/|title=Wildlife presenter Chris Packham reveals how his pets' deaths made him suicidal|last=Harley|first=Nicola|date=30 April 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=17 October 2017}} In 2019 he shared his New Forest home with two miniature poodles, Sid and Nancy, named after Sid Vicious, the bassist with the Sex Pistols, and Nancy Spungen, Sid's girlfriend.{{Cite web|last1=Silverman|first1=Laura|last2=Pritchard|first2=Emma-Louise|date=2 November 2020|title=Chris Packham's home is a riot of character and colour|url=https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a30964241/chris-packhams-home-live/|access-date=28 April 2021|website=Country Living|language=en-GB}}

For over ten years Packham has been in a relationship with Charlotte Corney, owner of the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, although the couple live separately. He has a step-daughter, Megan McCubbin, a zoologist, who has appeared with him on Springwatch.{{Cite episode |title=Episode 2 |series=Springwatch |series-link=Springwatch |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jjsw |access-date=26 May 2020 |station=BBC Two |date=26 May 2020 |series-no=16 |number=2 }}{{cite web |title=BBC Two's Springwatch announces guest presenters, Steve Backshall, Ellie Harrison, Gordon Buchanan and Megan McCubbin – Media Centre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/springwatch-guest-presenters |publisher=BBC |access-date=31 May 2020}}

• The Flying Gourmet's Guide (1985)
• Bird Brain of Britain (1988)
• Chris Packham's Wild Shots, Collins and Brown Publishers, (1993) {{ISBN|1-85585-200-4}}
• Chris Packham's Back Garden Nature Reserve New Holland Publishers (2001) (Foreword by David Bellamy) {{ISBN|1-85974-520-2}}
• Back Garden Nature Reserve (2003) {{ISBN|1-85605-846-8}}
• Chris Packham's Wild Side of Town: Getting to Know the Wildlife in Our Towns and Cities New Holland Publishers, (2003) {{ISBN|1-84330-355-8}}
• Nature's Calendar (2007) {{ISBN|0-00-724646-3}}
• Chris Packham's Nature Handbook (2010) {{ISBN|1-4053-5526-3}}
• The Wonder of Birds: nature, art, culture [Norfolk Museums Service] (2014) (Foreword by Chris Packham) {{ISBN|0-9031-0184-X}}
• Pets in Portraits by Robin Gibson (2015) (introduction by Chris Packham) {{ISBN|1855144980}}
• A Misuse of Nature by Sam Langers (2015) (introduction by Chris Packham)
• Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: A Memoir Ebury (2016) {{ISBN|978-1785033483}}
• Back to Nature: How to Love Life – and Save It Two Roads (2020) {{ISBN|978-1529350395}}
• Earth: Over 4 Billion Years in the Making William Collins (2023) {{ISBN|978-0008507206}} (Co-author Andrew Cohen)
• Habitats: Discover Earth's Precious Wild Places DK (2023) {{ISBN|978-0241569498}}
• Chris Packham's Birdwatching Guide: From Beginner to Birder DK (2024) {{ISBN|978-0241634905}}

• {{cite journal|last=Packham|first=Chris|date=March 1985|title=Role of male Kestrel during incubation|journal=British Birds|volume=78|issue=3|pages=144–5}}
• {{cite journal|last=Packham|first=Chris|date=April 1985|title=Bigamy by the Kestrel|journal=British Birds|volume=78|issue=4|pages=194–5}}

• Go Wild at Windsor Terry Nutkins and Chris Packham 1988.

• Aspergers And Me. Director: Charlie Russell. 2017.{{cite news |last1=Victorieux |first1=Ra'al Ki |title=Día Internacional del Síndrome de Asperger, y el cine |url=https://atmaunum.com/2023/02/06/dia-internacional-del-sindrome-de-asperger-y-el-cine/ |access-date=6 February 2023 |publisher=Atma Unum |date=2023}}

• 8 Out Of 10 Bats (2023){{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/SIBirdClub|title=8 Out Of 10 Bats|website=YouTube|accessdate=9 October 2023}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Chris Packham}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb name|id=0655515|name=Chris Packham}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20171229030619/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba449250d Chris Packham] at the British Film Institute

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Packham, Chris}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Alumni of the University of Southampton

Category:BBC television presenters

Category:British science communicators

Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Category:English naturalists

Category:English television presenters

Category:Living people

Category:Mass media people from Southampton

Category:People with Asperger syndrome

Category:People with Ménière's disease

Category:People educated at Bitterne Park School

Category:Television personalities from Hampshire