"I like animals. I like natural history. The travel bit is not the important bit. The travel bit is what you have to do in order to go and look at animals."

"I had a huge advantage when I started 50 years ago - my job was secure. I didn't have to promote myself. These days there's far more pressure to make a mark, so the temptation is to make adventure television or personality shows. I hope the more didactic approach won't be lost."

"Nature isn't positive in that way. It doesn't aim itself at you. It's not being unkind to you."

"Natural history is not about producing fables."

"It is sad to grow old but nice to ripen."

"It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow."

"The essence of creativity is the belief that every challenge is an invitation to grow stronger."

"When ambition meets humility, we find that a single moment of clarity can change a lifetime."