[dodger]

Sometimes I have found him a bit annoying, looking at this I may not be the only one

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_ne ... 166924.stm

[cabbage]

I must admit he's not my favourite presenter either but credit to his bravery and his coolness on camera there! That was some very professional presenting after he was bitten!

Before he was bitten however... "all the knowledge and planning'??? Is the best way to look for caimen in shin deep water really to poke about with your feet? Looked like he was practically asking to be bitten and a bit irresponisible IMO. It smacks of the Steve Irwin approach to film-making which has become far too prevalent for me.

[Sandra]

I've never seen this bloke before but, now that I have, I know that he is a sensation-seeking fool and is to be avoided.

Can you imagine Sir David Attenborough behaving like that? No....he managed to produce all of those "Life" programmes and (apart from getting pecked by that Capercaillie) emerge unscathed. It's because of his attention to detail, his knowledge of his subject and the respect he shows to it that he's still going strong in his 80s.

This buffoon on the other hand, like Steve Irwin, may not be long for this world.

And as for the headline "Caiman attacks wildlife presenter" - oh please! It's like those tabloid headlines about killer sharks whenever a Basking Shark drifts past a beach.

[Hawk_Eye]

Just wanted to point out that he was looking for yellow anaconda's according to the article. He was being stupid using his feet to feel for them. Did anyone see him in Lost Land of the Tigers?

[Thylacine]

Yes, I was quietly pleased that he was nailed by the Caiman.

I don't like it when I get the impression the presenter doesn't really know what he's talking about 30 minutes before reading the programme script. That's Backshall in my opinion (+ Kate Humble another), a thrill seeking self publicist (who may be able to get away with it on kid's TV) but is plainly ignorant of the species he's encountering.

[cabbage]

Yes, I was quietly pleased that he was nailed by the Caiman.

I don't like it when I get the impression the presenter doesn't really know what he's talking about 30 minutes before reading the programme script. That's Backshall in my opinion (+ Kate Humble another), a thrill seeking self publicist (who may be able to get away with it on kid's TV) but is plainly ignorant of the species he's encountering.

I agree with you in general - in fact I really agree with you! - but I have to defend kate Humble slightly she does seem to be very knowledgeable about some aspects of wildlife - sealife especially - she just tends to get overshadowed by Chris Packham's totally encyclopaedic knowledge on spring/autumnwatch. Having said that she probably is becoming a bit overexposed as the BBC's 'go to' girl for any sort of light wildlife programme.
You do need to be a decent presenter as well as a wildlife expert though. For me Bill Oddie is a good example of this and Simon King another. You cannot doubt their experience and knowledge of wildlife but (for me) they're just not great presenters. Backshall unfortunately (and again only IMO) seems to be the worst of both worlds and of course Sir David the best of both - in depth knowledge and a charismatic presenting style that appeals to almost everyone.

Can you imagine Sir David Attenborough behaving like that? No....he managed to produce all of those "Life" programmes and (apart from getting pecked by that Capercaillie) emerge unscathed. It's because of his attention to detail, his knowledge of his subject and the respect he shows to it that he's still going strong in his 80s.

genuinely LOL'ed at the memory of that I've also been charged by a (captive) capercaillie they're scary birds!

I'd like to throw in the memory of him walking down a beach surrounded by bull elephant seals fending them off with his walking stick

[Hawk_Eye]

Having done a bit of research (well 5mins junst now ) I've found that Backshall is actually a english and theatre graduate, although he is studying for a degree in biology with the Open Uni. It's all here on his website http://www.stevebackshall.com/about.php
From I've read he's been mainly an adventurer/travel writer which would explain the presenting style etc etc. He's bascially one of the new breed of nautral world presenters to try and encourage the younger viewer to get involved in the natural world. I think if he wasn't affiliated so much with nature programmes he may be percieved in a better light. I do agree that you can't go wrong with any David Attenborough or Simon King programme. I also quite like Nick Baker's programmes when I've seen them. Very engaging and it's obvious he knows what he's talking about.

[Thylacine]

I remember one of Backshall's programmes where he was canoeing in a fairly restricted river area trying to get close to hippos!
It was a bloody liability- I'm surprised no one got nailed given the aggression hippos can have towards boats/their passengers. Really really stupid. As others have said before "Steve Irwin mark 2"

Very interesting Hawkeye that he's an English/theatre graduate: He behaves like it too. Clueless to the point of stupidity.

[Hawk_Eye]

I blame reality tv and tv competitions i.e. big brother, x factor et al.

[cabbage]

There was a story on the BBC about someone from a German tv crew being killed by a leopard a few days ago - unfortunately I can't seem to find a link at the moment.

Apparently it was a 'tame' animal which suddenly lashed out and went for the throat of someone on the shoot and fatally wounded her. The leopard was shot dead soon after.

This is of course a tragic story and I'm very sorry for the family of the woman involved but I'm not sure I understand the concept of a 'tame' leopard...