APE CULTURE
CHRIS PACKHAM PRESIDES OVER THIS FASCINATING NEW NATURAL HISTORY SERIES…
Zoologist Chris Packham knows a thing or two about animals – he’s been bringing his expertise to TV audiences for over three decades. His latest project sees him on narration duties, for a programme about mankind’s closest relatives…
Hi, Chris! What attracted you to this new series?
I’ve known [producer] Gavin Boyland for some time. He’s been making really intelligent, imaginative series and pushing the boat out to make them as creative as possible. He made a series called Big Cats, which I loved – so when he told me about Primates, I was intrigued.
What did you discover that surprised you the most?
We’ve all grown up with the idea that male silverback gorillas are big and immensely strong. But we’ve now learnt that male gorillas’ fitness, in terms of how often they can reproduce, isn’t directly to do with their size, but how they respond to the need of their young – effectively, how cuddly they are!
What makes Primates such an important show?
Gorillas, chimps and orangutans are an easy in. Everyone loves them and knows they are endangered. They’re a great way of getting people to watch, then we can take the audience somewhere new. It’s not just about those animals – it’s about the entire primate group, including some species people may not have heard of. We show you how important, smart and fascinating they are.
What do you hope viewers will take from the show?
A deepened affection for these animals. People need to see how valuable they are – they play important roles in the ecosystems we all depend on.
What particularly fascinates you about primates?
They’re a remarkable group of animals. There’s so much more to learn, which makes them exciting. They’re very similar to human beings, so this series leaves us with one or two questions about ourselves. We are primates, and the way we behave at this point in time will determine all of our futures…