Renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has opened up about his advancing age and the state of the world’s oceans in a deeply moving moment from his latest documentary.
As he approaches his 99th birthday on May 9, the iconic presenter has shared heartfelt reflections on his life, stating plainly that he is “nearing the end.” His words come as part of Ocean with David Attenborough, a new documentary slated for release on Disney+ later this year.
The film captures Sir David’s long-standing relationship with the natural world, this time with a focus on the sea. He reflects: “As a child, I saw the ocean as a wild frontier to be conquered. But now, approaching the end of my life, I see how wrong that was.”
Drawing from nearly a century of experience, Sir David emphasizes a powerful message: “The most vital place on Earth is not found on land—it’s in our oceans.”
Throughout the documentary, he speaks with both sorrow and hope about the deteriorating health of marine ecosystems. “It would be easy to despair,” he admits, “if not for one extraordinary realization: the ocean can recover.”
He goes on to stress the urgent need for protective measures, such as creating no-fishing zones to help restore underwater biodiversity. “If we can save the ocean, we save everything,” he says. “That’s what I’ve learned from a lifetime spent exploring the planet.”
The programme also includes nostalgic footage from 1957, showing a young Sir David during his first scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef—a scene that underscores how far both he and the ocean have come.
Despite warning that time is running out, Attenborough remains hopeful. His decades of broadcasting have helped inspire global awareness of environmental issues and encouraged conservation efforts across the globe.
Reflecting on his long career, the 98-year-old remarked: “Without natural history programmes, the world would be in far worse shape. These stories have sparked wonder and care for the world we share.”
In an earlier interview, he acknowledged the realities of aging, recalling a moment when he blanked on the name of a plant. “It’s part of getting older,” he said. “Words don’t always come as easily.”
Still, Sir David continues to inspire millions with his passion and wisdom, leaving behind a legacy as enduring as the wild places he’s dedicated his life to protecting.
