How to...
...be a "natural" history presenter
July 2007
Our expert Stephen Leonard (BVSc 1996): TV Presenter.
"To do this job well, you have to love it. Once you get tuned into the awesome lives of the organisms that we share this planet with, you just have to let people know about it. And it is awesome (watch any Attenborough series and disagree with me).
"Thankfully there are so many people out there who agree and are ready to tune in and discover something new with you. You feel duty bound to go to the limit to deliver it. You are chest deep in a swamp with leeches around your delicates and you couldn’t be happier.
"Filming wildlife is an education in virtues. Patience, persistence and acceptance are all essential tools of the trade. Frustration, disappointment and panic are all commonly encountered on the road to success. The story you set out to tell may not be the one that makes it to the screen. Flexibility and a quick tongue can get you out of a hole.
"Finally you absolutely have to be a team player. At least carry the tripod.
Steve Leonard began television presenting by accident, when he was filmed for Vets in Practise, an observational documentary. Since then he’s graduated as a vet and presented many natural history series for the BBC Natural History Unit, including Vets in the Wild, Ultimate Killers and Animal Camera.