Sir David Attenborough says ‘the end is near’ as he makes heartbreaking admission

The living legend turns 99 this month

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Sir David Attenborough has opened up about his thoughts on mortality and the future of our planet in his latest documentary, which focuses on the world’s oceans. As he approaches his 99th birthday on Thursday, May 8, the legendary broadcaster and naturalist acknowledged that he is “nearing the end of his life.”

Sir David, who grew up in Leicester, has graced television screens for over eight decades, shared these reflections while working on a new oceanic series set to premiere on Disney+ later this year, reports the Express. In the upcoming film, Ocean with David Attenborough, the TV presenter expresses his concerns for the future, contrasting his early perceptions of the sea with his current understanding.

He said: “When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity. Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.”

He continued: “Today, it is in such poor health I would find it hard not to lose hope were it not for the most remarkable discovery of all.”

However, Sir David remains optimistic about the resilience of marine environments, stating: “If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure nothing is more important.'”

The documentary also features a nostalgic moment where Sir David reflects on footage from 1957, capturing his first scuba diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. The Leicester legend remains hopeful about the planet’s future despite his warning that we’re running out of time. He suggests that by safeguarding marine reserves where fishing is prohibited, we can help the ocean’s ecosystem regain health.

Throughout his career, Sir David’s documentaries have played a crucial role in highlighting global environmental concerns and have contributed to the development of systems aimed at protecting species at risk. In an interview, the 98-year-old said: “The world would be in a far, far worse situation now had there been no broadcasting of natural history. People have found it a source of fascination, beauty, and interest, which has become key to looking after the world.”