Attenborough's final Dynasties plea was as powerful as the show itself
Sir David Attenborough has issued an impassioned plea to humankind to give endangered animals the space they deserve to thrive.
As the final episode of his powerful wildlife documentary, Dynasties drew to a close, Sir David told viewers we must stop encroaching on natural habits, and learn to share our planet, if dwindling species such as tigers, lions and penguins are to survive.
"All the animals we’ve seen during this series need space to live,” the 92-year-old Naturalist told viewers. “Loss of space is a great threat to their survival as it is with all other species.
"We, one single species, have ourselves taken over vast tracts of the habitable surface of the planet. Surely we should allow those others species we share the planet with to retain some part of their ancient heritage?"
Last night's finale followed Indian tigress Raj Bhera, one of just 4,000 tigers now living in the wild. Viewers saw her struggle for survival as she shared India's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve with 80 other big cats.
At one stage she was forced to leave her hunting grounds, and venture into a local village, in order to find food for herself and her cubs.
The world's tiger population has been decimated over the past century. More than 70 percent have been killed by poachers, or left homeless, by vast destruction of their natural habitats.
Sir David said his message isn't new, but it's time we realised the impact we are having on the natural world.
"It’s a message I’ve been preaching for 50 years. The natural world doesn’t belong entirely to us," he told i news.
“We have a moral responsibility to the natural world as well as a practical one not to screw it up, otherwise we are going to be in big trouble. And we are screwing it up, certainly.”
Dynasties has been a huge hit for the BBC. Each episode has followed a species nearing extinction due to destruction of their natural habitat by humankind.
From David the chimp to the crew breaking Sir David's number one rule, look back on the most incredible moments from Dynasties.
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