Biography - Chris Packham

Who is Chris Packham?

Chris Packham is a British naturalist, nature photographer, Cinematographer, television presenter, as well as an author. He had always been passionate about nature from a young age. Know him more here!

Chris Packham – Age, Parents, Siblings

Chris Packham was born on 4 May 1961 in Southampton, England and his full name/ birth name is Christopher Gary Packham. His father’s name is Colin Packham, a marine engineer, and his mother’s name is Rita Packham. He also has a younger sister named Jenny Packham, now a fashion designer.

Education, Ethnicity

Packham attended Bitterne Park Secondary School where he received his primary education, after which he joined Taunton's College. He also enrolled in the University of Southampton where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology.

His ethnicity is English.

Chris Packham – Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Divorce

He has been in a relationship with Charlotte Corney, owner of the Isle of Wight Zoo for more than 10 years. But he has not moved in with his long-time girlfriend as of yet. Packham does not have any children as of 2019.

The couple is yet to marry and he is yet to take Corney as his wife. As Chris Packham has never been married, divorce is out of context.

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Chris Packham – Career

Early Days

Chris Packham’s career began in 1983 as a part-time camera assistant for wildlife filmmaker Stephen Bolwell. He also worked on The Living Planet series, The Living Isles, Ourselves and Other Animals from 1983 to 1985.

He is also a TV presenter and has presented shows such as The Really Wild Show (1986 - 1995), Wild Shots, The X Creatures, Hands on Nature, Nature's Calendar, Go Wild (Live), Travel UK, Nature's Detectives, Really Wild Guide, The Great Dinosaur Trail, Watchout Series II and III, Animal Zone (BBC2), Postcards from the Wild and An Evening with Chris Packham, Inside Out, among others.

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TV Shows

His recent work as a presenter includes Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Winterwatch, Secrets of Our Living Planet (2013), Inside the Animal Mind (2014), The Wonder of Animals (2014), Cats v. Dogs: Which Is Best? (2016), Earth Live(2017), Chris Packham: Asperger's and Me (October 2017), The Real T rex (January 2018), Chris Packham: In Search of the Lost Girl (January 2018), Yellowstone Live (August 2018).

He formed a production company called Head Over Heels which makes wildlife programs for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. Moreover, Chris Packham is involved in various charity work and wildlife conservation organizations.

Chris Packham – Health issues, Controversy

Chris Packham was diagnosed with Ménière's disease in his late 30s. In 2003, his dog and fish died which gravely affected him. So, he went to see a therapist in 2005.

The same year he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. He has been open about mental health and has revealed that he has suffered from severe depression.

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Controversy

Chris Packham is pretty vocal with his thoughts. In a 2009 interview with Radio Times, he said that the giant panda is too expensive to save and "should be allowed to become extinct" and the funds could be redistributed to protect other animals and habitats. 

A year ago, he had also said that he would "eat the last panda" if doing so would retroactively redistribute the money spent on panda conservation.  These comments of his, of course, stirred an outrage. He later apologized.

He criticized the TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2009, 2014, and 2017 for mistreating animals.

In April 2017, Packham was arrested with assault while filming on the Maltese island of Gozo. After video evidence was shown, the case was dismissed.

In a 2010 Interview with The Daily Telegraph, Chris said "The human population is sowing the seeds of a mass extinction event", repeating his words in a 2012 interview with Daily Mirror. Also in 2017, Chris Packham said that if every woman could be emancipated, birth rates would drop.

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Chris Packham – Net Worth, Salary

The net worth of Packham is estimated to be around $4 million while the figure on his annual salary is under review.

Chris Packham – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Chris Packham is followed by thousands of followers. He also has an official website- chrispackham.co.uk.

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