Tributes have been flooding in for zoologist and presenter Desmond Morris, who has passed away at the age of 98. The author and BBC star died on Sunday and was known for dedicating his life to natural history as well as hosting the hit show, Zoo Time. Desmond was born in Wiltshire in 1928 and developed an interest in the animal kingdom as a child. He joined the British Army in 1946 and fulfilled two years of national service before returning to zoology after studying at the University of Birmingham. After gaining his degree, he completed a doctorate in animal behaviour at Oxford University, where he stayed on to study the reproductive behaviour of birds.
Following his time at Oxford, he entered the world of television as head of the Granada Film Unit for the Zoological Society of London. The star went on to host Zoo Time until 1959, reportedly hosting 500 episodes of the programme throughout his illustrious career.
Desmond also presented the popular BBC Two programme, Life in the Animal World. As well as presenting, he was a surrealist painter who was a key figure in the 1950s British Surrealist movement, blending biological forms with artistic imagination on canvas.
The animal lover, who achieved global fame with his 1967 bestseller The Naked Ape, passed away in Ireland, where he had been residing since the death of his wife, Ramona, in 2018.
Tributes have been pouring in for the "wonderful" Desmond following the heartbreaking news of his death. One fan penned on social media: “I loved watching him present Zoo Time on TV when I was a child.”
A second said: “RIP, wonderful Desmond Morris at the grand old age of 98. Zoologist, ethnologist, one of Britain’s foremost surrealist artists, and cat fan.”
Meanwhile, another added: “Sad to see that Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape, had died. I loved his books. One day in the 70s, I was ambling along in Oxford when I spotted him across the street, standing there staring at me. I wonder if I was exhibiting more than usual ape-like behaviour that day?”
A fourth penned: “I took Desmond Morris's son's wedding photographs. Mr Morris was an absolute gent, and it was a memorably lovely wedding, unlike most.”
