INTO THE WILD

David James Bellamy OBE is a man of few words, which is quite surprising for someone who has made a name for himself as a television personality. For those who grew up watching the BBC during the 80s and 90s, they would most likely have seen Bellamy as the jolly host of numerous television programmes that revolved around botany, ecology, and environmental issues.

During his impressive career in wildlife television, the cameras would often follow Bellamy’s international exploits, which included exploring majestic rainforests, wading through muddy marshlands, venturing near live volcanoes, and even investigating the various critters hiding in the gardens located behind his sprawling countryside home.

Nowadays, the 82-year-old no longer appears on television, but that hasn’t stopped him from travelling around the world looking for his next big adventure. In January this year, Bellamy journeyed far from home to find himself at The Datai Langkawi – an exclusive luxury resort on the mystical island of Langkawi.

Given that Bellamy’s work often involved crawling about in the undergrowth, getting his hands dirty, this venue might initially appear a little out of his element. But for those familiar with The Datai Langkawi, it actually represents the perfect sanctuary for nature lovers who are curious about their immediate surroundings.

Nestled within the heart of an ancient rainforest, The Datai Langkawi offers the perfect refuge for those yearning to reconnect with nature. Every room, suite and villa located within the impressive property seemingly embraces the surrounding lush environment that hosts a wealth of diverse wildlife, many of which are indigenous to the area.

The best way to explore the surroundings would be to partake in the resort’s many nature walks that are guided by Irshad Mobarak, the resident naturalist at The Datai Langkawi. In fact, Irshad’s passion for all things wildlife was sparked after watching one of Bellamy’s shows. “When I was a kid, I remember a particular episode that showed him diving right into a bog and announcing, ‘Here we are in the middle of the Irish bog.’ He was just always willing to go that extra mile to get up close to the action.”

Bellamy’s other notable achievements include teaching botany at Durham University, while also publishing numerous scientific papers and books. He recalls: “I remember someone approaching me and saying ‘You must write down all these things you’ve done. If you don’t do it, somebody else will.’ So I sat down and worked for 10 days straight until it was all done. Despite the lack of sleep, I remember feeling really good after!”

A prominent activist, Bellamy has also been instrumental in helping to spread awareness on environmental causes he holds dear to his heart. Not only did he help establish the Conservation Foundation – a registered charity in Britain formed to promote positive environmental news, awareness and action – he has also served time behind bars for his beliefs and actions. In 1983, Bellamy was sent to prison for participating in a protest over a proposed dam development involving the Franklin River in Tasmania. “I remember travelling down that river in a boat and every turn was just absolutely beautiful. Thanks to all those involved in the campaign, the project ended up being cancelled.”

A proud family man, Bellamy’s face beams with delight when he talks about his children. “I have five children; four of whom were adopted. All of them are just so different, and they really teach us so much. It’s almost as if they have something different inside them which I will never have. Sometimes, they would come along while I was filming, and I recall they would eat just about anything. In many ways, they were like plants; if they had not been nurtured in the right environment, they wouldn’t have been able to thrive.”

According to Bellamy, the biggest reward in his career was the privilege of being able to share his message about conservation with young people. “I have travelled around the world probably about six times by now – while making shows for the BBC as well as for other interests. I visited places with such rich biodiversity, but if you go back to certain areas now, there’s almost nothing left. So we have to ensure that the last remaining havens are preserved for future generations to enjoy.”