Michael Kendall 

Mike Kendall's first foray into natural history broadcasting was as the keeper at London Zoo. He handed George Cansdale his subjects from their cages on the All About Animals series in the mid 1950s. Another early role saw him as the animal collector for Granada's Zoo Time series - where one of his duties included collecting three Egyptian cobras from London Airport in a basket and bringing them back to the studio at London Zoo on the Underground.

After three years in the RAF, Mike returned to London Zoo before moving to Rediffusion, an independent production company, to become a sound assistant. In 1961 Mike started at the BBC as a researcher on Peter Scott's Look series, before moving on to the Film Library. Mike has also spent further time in front of the camera, presenting two series of Man and Boy in the 1970s, with a very young Simon King.

1n 1985, as an acquirer of programmes from outside the BBC, Mike developed Wildlife Showcase, a series which adapted foreign films for UK television, and his knowledge of wildlife programming from around the world meant he was ideally placed to sit on many wildlife film festival juries, including the first Wildscreen Festival committee.

Mike Kendall retired from the BBC in 1992.

Oral History

WildFilmHistory Films

Unarmed Hunters (1963)	Appearance
TV50: Television and Natural History (1986)	Programme Consultant