In a captivating departure from remote jungles and oceans, Sir David Attenborough has turned his legendary gaze onto the urban jungle of London itself. His latest BBC documentary, Wild London, which began streaming on BBC iPlayer on Monday 12 January 2026, unveils the astonishing natural world thriving in the UK's capital. "There is a wild side to London," says Attenborough. "The city is surprisingly alive with all sorts of animals, and full of remarkable natural spectacles." The film promises to transform how residents view their city, highlighting creatures from foxes and hedgehogs to more exotic inhabitants. Here are five of the most unexpected revelations from the documentary.
Snakes in the Trees and Falcons in the Sky
One of the most startling discoveries featured is the presence of approximately 40 Aesculapian snakes living in the trees along Regent’s Canal, a stone's throw from Camden and London Zoo. Native to continental Europe, their origin in London remains a mystery. These shy, non-venomous reptiles have become an unofficial pest control squad, helping to manage rat and mouse populations in the area.
Meanwhile, soaring above the city streets is the world's fastest animal. Contrary to popular belief, it's not the cheetah but the peregrine falcon. London now hosts more of these raptors than any other global city, with an estimated 50 breeding pairs. They have made a remarkable recovery from near extinction in the last century, nesting on rooftops of hospitals, factories, and even the Houses of Parliament, where Sir David encounters chicks in the film.
Parakeet Mysteries and Commuter Pigeons
The origins of London's tens of thousands of bright green ring-necked parakeets are shrouded in colourful folklore. Wild London explores the popular theory that rock icon Jimi Hendrix released a pair on Carnaby Street in the 1960s. Other explanations suggest escapes from Henry VIII's menagerie or a 1951 film set. Attenborough recalls his own astonishment: "I still remember the first time I saw a parakeet in my garden some 30 years ago... What on earth was an exotic bird I’d seen on my travels doing in my London home?"
The documentary also captures a more relatable urban behaviour: pigeons using public transport. The film shows a pigeon catching a ride on the London Underground from Hammersmith Station. Attenborough suggests they likely learned to hop on trains by following crumbs left by commuters. Despite this lazy habit, their natural navigation skills are impeccable, using the sun, magnetic fields, and man-made landmarks like roads and train lines to find their way.
Prehistoric Insects in Kensington
While the Natural History Museum in South Kensington displays fossils of long-extinct creatures, its grounds host living relics from the age of dinosaurs. The wildlife pond on site is home to ancient nymphs, primitive creatures that have inhabited Earth's waters for millions of years. After a two-year underwater stage feeding on tadpoles, they undergo a dramatic metamorphosis, shedding their skin to emerge as emperor dragonflies – among Europe's largest and most majestic insects.
Wild London is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer, offering a profound new perspective on the natural capital nestled within one of the world's busiest cities. It serves as a powerful reminder that wildlife is not confined to distant wildernesses but is flourishing, often unseen, in the very heart of London.
