Now, an 11-year-old conservationist is preparing to carry that message to a younger generation.
Kunchala’s journey began at just four, when he learnt about a whale that had died after ingesting plastic pollution, according to The South Asia Times. Jane Goodall spent decades showing the world why protecting animals and their habitats matters to humanity. Aneeshwar Kunchala, a UK-based wildlife presenter with family roots in Andhra Pradesh, India, is set to receive the Junior Jane Goodall Earth Medal for his work promoting wildlife conservation and biodiversity. The experience inspired him to raise awareness about the threats facing wildlife.
He has since appeared in wildlife and educational programming associated with broadcasters including the BBC, Sky Kids and Channel 5. In 2024, Kunchala received the Diana Award for his work involving children and wildlife conservation. In a February 2023 interview with Scouts UK, Kunchala summed up his conservation mission with the words, “Please save the animals and make sure the world looks beautiful.
Because of plastic pollution, in an interview with National Geographic Kids, he recalled how his teacher showed the class a picture of a whale that had died. Kunchala’s interest in conservation began in his first year at school. He was shocked by the image and the fact that discarded plastic could kill such a large animal. The incident stayed with him and prompted him to think about what he could do to help wildlife. the experience became the starting point for his efforts to educate others about protecting animals and the environment Although he was only four. His work has also included Go Wild with Steve Backshall, a CBeebies programme in which he learnt about animals, conservation and filmmaking alongside the naturalist and television presenter. He has described working with Backshall as one of the most memorable experiences of his career. He has also been recognised through the British Citizen Youth Award and the Young Scientific Explorer honorary award from the Scientific Exploration Society. His other roles include serving as a National Trust ambassador and becoming the first young columnist for National Geographic Kids UK, where he contributes advice on helping wildlife, seasonal nature activities and citizen science projects. Kunchaala’s approach combines storytelling with practical encouragement, particularly for children who may feel too young to make a difference. It reflects the central idea behind his work: that caring about nature can begin with a single experience and grow into sustained efforts to educate others.