Like millions of others here on planet Earth, we’re celebrating and paying tribute to world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, who turns 100 today!
Happy 100th Sir David Attenborough!
Jane Healy, Auckland Zoo
This stunning mural - that all visitors to the Zoo can now enjoy, is the creation and gift of Auckland-based artist Paul X Walsh, who says some of his earliest and fondest memories were gathering around the TV on a Sunday evening to watch Attenborough’s wildlife documentaries.
“I can’t think of a more inspirational person to celebrate. Sir David has done so much to showcase the natural world and really bridge the gap between nature and human curiosity and grow appreciation for it, and I thought the ideal place to paint him would be here at the Zoo.”
Paul’s mural – live painted at the Zoo over a week, includes wildlife, plants and environments that have all featured in Attenborough’s work and programmes. Among these are different species named after him – from Nepenthes attenboroughii (Attenborough’s pitcher plant) to Zaglossus attenboroughi (Attenborough’s long-beaked echnidna). He’s also included our endemic wētāpunga – a taonga species the Zoo has bred for release to the wild, as well as the Bornean orangutan, meerkat, and red panda.
For the Zoo’s head of conservation advocacy and engagement, Dr Sarah, this mural project reflects the power of art to connect to conservation and a shared appreciation for Sir David’s mahi for over seven decades.
“As a zoo we’re all about connecting people with and nurturing a life-long love for te taiao/ the natural world (that includes all of us!) and I feel Paul’s mural is such a creative and positive way to do this, and of course, a lovely way to celebrate Sir David’s big birthday milestone,” says Sarah.
Be sure to check out Paul’s mural (located just near the Zoo’s band rotunda lawn) next time you visit!