Celebrating Sir David
From school visits and staff quizzes to Alpaca crias and inspirational new signage – we’ve been celebrating the legend Sir David, ahead of his 100th birthday!
In the run up to the 100th birthday of the legend that is Sir David Attenborough, we’ve been looking at ways to celebrate such an inspirational man. For us, working every day with endangered and vulnerable species, his programmes and his passion for the planet, feel very close to home. Sir David has spent a lifetime sharing the natural world with millions of us, showing us the beautiful, strange and fragile animals we share the planet with. His conservation messages have inspired so many to care more, do more and speak up. Many of our own animal keepers, and plenty of others across the team, first started caring about what happens to species and habitats in the wild because of him.
So, alongside many other zoos and animal attractions across the UK, we wanted to mark this special milestone and say a very big thank you to this legend! Looking after threatened animals in our care is only part of what we do. We’re also passionate about playing our part in being environmentally responsible too. Over the years we’ve made a whole host of improvements to be kinder to the planet and to run more sustainably. We also support a number of conservation charities that protect animals and habitats in the wild.
The run up to Sir David’s 100th this Friday 8 May, has been full of small celebrations and just some good ol’ fashioned fun – with the team joining in with quizzes testing their Attenborough knowledge, as well as having photo-op areas so the team can have a “selfie with David” alongside our life-size cut-out of ‘Sir Dai’ (this is Wales after all)!
But one of our favourite tributes has been adding a new sign, featuring a very apt David Attenborough quote, at the entrance to our zoo. One that sums up why our work matters and why days out at the zoo educate guests on the threats facing many of these creatures in the wild and inspire them to help;
“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they haven’t experienced.”
Sir David Attenborough
Say Hello To David Alpacanborough
On World Earth Day (22 April), we had an alpaca cria born, and there was really only one name we could choose. In his honour, our newest adorable arrival has officially been named David Alpacanborough!
Inspiring The Next Generation:
Sir David has always had a gift for talking directly to young people and sparking curiosity. That’s something we try to continue here every time a school group walks through our gates. As part of their celebrations for his 100th birthday, pupils from Monkton Priory CP School in Pembroke visited us. They spent time with our Conservation Officer, Jack, learning about the work we do with endangered and vulnerable animals, including our lions, penguins and rhinos. But the highlight of the visit was when the pupils gathered to sing ‘Penblwydd Hapus’ to Sir David. A big thank you to all the pupils and teachers from Monkton Priory CP for being so engaged, curious and brilliant throughout their visit.
Marking Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday is about more than photos and quizzes though. It’s about acknowledging what his life’s work has achieved. Every time a child meets an animal up close, asks a question, or sings ‘Penblwydd Hapus’ to a conservation hero, a seed is planted. Every time a keeper chooses this career path because of a documentary they watched growing up, that influence is still working quietly in the world.
If we can keep that sense of awe alive, keep telling the stories of endangered species, and keep making small, steady changes to protect the environment, then we’re doing our bit to carry his legacy forward. So, from all of us here, to the man who brought the natural world into our living rooms and into our hearts…Happy 100th birthday, Sir David. Thank you for everything. Check out the following for some messages to the main man ahead of the birthday celebrations!