AIBU to wonder what people don't like about Chris Packham?

[MRex]

Obviously people actually setting fire to his gates are plain lunatics: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-58861252. The article talks about all these other online threats, dead animals and other mischief however, which implies a fair number of individuals who expend time and energy going after him. He's just an environmentalist campaigner who wants a bit more wild space, a few beavers introduced, fewer birds shot... he isn't a man of great power. So what do these people fear so much?

Ions him a lot and agree with pretty much everything he says. His autism (and didn’t/doesn’t he have menieres which can cause problems with hearing etc) does mean he does sugar coat stuff and can seem a bit awkward sometimes.
Tossers always love to gang up and pick on people. Not sure there’s much point looking for logic amongst those who threaten him and do this.

Well I was just joking, but I do think he's a bit holier than though.

I think anyone who was a teen in the 80s love him - The Really Wild show was excellent.
I went to see him at one of his talks at a University and he was brill.

*thou

People can't handle being called out for enjoying or facilitating animal murder and the destruction of the natural world, so they respond with name calling, threats, and violence.

I say that as a cat owner and a meat eater. I like him. I live in the countryside but I don't support 'blood sports' as an answer to 'problem' species. But I'll own the fact that some of my decisions are detrimental.

People were up in arms when Sir David said the best thing we could do for the planet was stop having babies, don't think it was quite a vicious, but people don't like to face unpleasant facts.

He stole a baby kestrel from its mother's best he's an utter rank hypocrite still no need to burn his gates or vilify him but he's not someone to admire.

I think he’s great.

I'm not a huge fan, I disagree with quite a lot of what he says, but I also agree with quite a lot too.

It is appalling that someone cannot express a sincerely-held opinion without somebody else threatening violence, or damage to property, to shut them up - no matter what that opinion might be.

We now have several MPs and other public figures being advised to employ bodyguards to be safe and I am getting fed up with violent bullies closing down all manner of free discussion in this country.

@Whinginadeville

He stole a baby kestrel from its mother's best he's an utter rank hypocrite still no need to burn his gates or vilify him but he's not someone to admire.

He was a teenager when he did that!? Many a mistake was made by most teens, it's hardly worth dragging up when he's 60

Didn’t know about the kestrel. Just read - he disclosed this on desert island discs. He was 14. Absolutely don’t think worse of him having read his age and how he cared for it and how it affected him. Obvs awful but I don’t think differently and like him for admitting it.

He doesn’t hate Pandas … his point was, why have millions been spent in order to stop them going extinct, whilst at the same time hundreds of other species have gone extinct without anyone batting an eyelid. Why do we spend all that money on one species … who don’t really bring much to the planet, instead of protecting the insects that are vital for our biodiversity? It’s a good point

@TonTonMacoute

I'm not a huge fan, I disagree with quite a lot of what he says, but I also agree with quite a lot too.

It is appalling that someone cannot express a sincerely-held opinion without somebody else threatening violence, or damage to property, to shut them up - no matter what that opinion might be.

We now have several MPs and other public figures being advised to employ bodyguards to be safe and I am getting fed up with violent bullies closing down all manner of free discussion in this country.

This.

I like him. I think he's very genuine, kind, passionate, well-meaning, and principled.

I may not agree with everything he says but so what? We're all different. We're humans, not clones (who knows for the future).

There's no excuse for the violence against him or his property.

People hate him because he has a disability (sorry, I realise he probably doesn't see it as such, but just trying to convey my meaning). He is different, he is passionate and he is unapologetic - a quick look even on Mumsnet (especially on Mumsnet TBH) shows these are not qualities one is supposed to have, especially not a man.

It's disgusting.

@WormYourHonour

People like to kill defenceless creatures, makes them feel big and clever. Chris doesn't like the people that do that and points out that it doesn't make them big or clever. So the big and clever people prove how big and clever they are by threatening violence.

Exactly this.
The bullies are only capable of hurting innocent animals, they don't even have the guts to stand up to him in person but have to skulk around in the dark.
Absolutely pathetic.

@DumplingsAndStew

People hate him because he has a disability (sorry, I realise he probably doesn't see it as such, but just trying to convey my meaning). He is different, he is passionate and he is unapologetic - a quick look even on Mumsnet (especially on Mumsnet TBH) shows these are not qualities one is supposed to have, especially not a man.

It's disgusting.

Yes I think you're right.

I like him on nature but I don't like him on autism

I like him. I was once at a talk he gave on the effects of his autism which was funny, fascinating and very revealing, and he was really nice to people at the talk despite the fact that it must have caused him real difficulties. I also very much like his passion for the environment and nature, and the way he communicates his interest in them.

I agree it's actually a good point re: pandas. People don't want unpalatable truths like that though. Similarly (imo) dogs which are kept in no-kill rescue centres for years because they're too difficult to re-home. They should be PTS. To make room for the many dogs who CAN be re-homed. But people don't want to consider things like that. (I am a dog and cat owner btw).

People are obviously terrified of him speaking his (non NT) mind. But they appear to be the sort of pond scum psychopaths that think using dead animals and burning things is a way of saying "I disagree". These people live to prove they are violent, uncontrolled and lacking any kind of counter argument Just more of their unchecked blood lust. They get off on it.

He's a brilliant animal rights and environmental activist who puts himself in the limelight at personal risk.

I don’t think his step daughter particularly or intentionally benefited from nepotism. She was only initially on air during lockdown Springwatch when the BBC was doing their best to continue a regular schedule. Chris needs someone else on camera with him when he is live because this ASD can tend to lead him to rambling off topic or talking too long. It turns out she was a very good and confident presenter, she’s passionate about wildlife and nature and is a lovely sidekick to Chris. Why not invite her back after lockdown was lifted?

@drpaddington

Locally people don't like him because he stopped seagull culling (or something along those lines) which means for several months of the year people are woken in the early hours by seagulls (it really is loud!) They can't dry their washing outside, can't let their children play in the garden because there's so much poo on the ground, and have to wash poo off their cars daily. They sometimes get aggressive too.

Given that killing seagulls has been illegal since 1981, I really don't see how Packham is to blame. I think the problem is that some species of gull are endangered, and if we allowed seagull culling realistically a lot of the endangered ones would be killed.

@Badgercity I wouldn't let inconvenient facts get in the way of someone hell bent on hating him
...

I like him, I don't always agree with his views or his uncompromising way of speaking, but I find him watchable and passionate.

He has as much right to his views as anyone else, he is criticised because he is different and makes people uncomfortable.

Hunting is still a way of life for many who’ve been born and bred in the countryside. Livelihoods depend on farmers being able to cull badgers and foxes.

I don't think Packham or most people who are anti-hunt necessarily have any issue with culling foxes. The issue is doing it by getting together a load of idiots in red coats and chasing them over the countryside before allowing hounds to tear them apart. It's not only inhumane, it's grossly inefficient, and they also do quite a bit of damage to countryside and farmland.