‘The greatest ambassador for life on Earth’: Tributes paid to David Attenborough on his 100th birthday

David Attenborough said he had been “completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings” for his centenary on Friday and thanked wellwishers “most sincerely”. The naturalist said he had hoped to celebrate his 100th birthday quietly. Instead, the milestone will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall broadcast on BBC One, featuring music from his programmes as well as stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world. In a recorded audio message shared on Thursday night, Attenborough said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas. “I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings, from preschool groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages. I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages.” The broadcaster, whose sonorous voice has described the wonders of life on Earth for billions of people, has inspired global efforts to treasure and protect wildlife during a lifetime that has coincided with mass extinction and the breakdown of a stable climate. To mark his birthday, the Natural History Museum has named a newly discovered species of parasitic wasp – Attenboroughnculus tau – after him and is running an immersive exhibition, Our Story With David Attenborough, until August. …