David Attenborough and Jumbo the elephant at the American Museum of Natural History / PHOTO: BBC PICTURES
Sir David Attenborough, the veteran naturalist and broadcaster known for groundbreaking documentaries like Life, Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth, has been working with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) on a new film.
With the working title Jumbo: The Life Of An Elephant Superstar, Attenborough and a team of experts at the AMNH in New York, New York, created a 60-minute documentary that explores the story of the elephant who inspired Disney’s Dumbo.
Jumbo’s moving story began when he was brought to London Zoo in 1865. But the supersize animal was difficult to control and sold to PT Barnum’s circus in the US. More than 20 million Americans came to see Jumbo and the troubled elephant became a star. Attenborough’s upcoming programme investigates Jumbo’s life and the mysterious circumstances of his death, looking too at elephants in the wild and examining changing attitudes to captivity.
“AMNH provided archive photographs and information, along with direct access to Jumbo’s skeleton,” Roberto Lebron, senior director of communications at the museum told Attractions Management. “The production was interested in doing a DNA analysis of the skeleton, which we facilitated – the results will be discussed in the film. The museum’s provost of science Michael Novacek was also interviewed.”
Lebron says the museum is looking into possible related programming for next year.
Attenborough has collaborated with attractions since the 1950s, when he worked on Zoo Quest alongside the BBC and ZSL London Zoo, establishing his talents in front of the camera.
While with the AMNH, Attenborough also filmed a short video about the importance of natural history museums in learning about and protecting the animal kingdom.
He says: “I’ve been fascinated by animals for as long as I can remember and if you’re fascinated by animals, you want to know more about them. The great place to know about them is, of course, museums.
“Institutions like this are the very foundations of all zoological knowledge.
“The natural world is becoming poorer and more damaged. If we want to prevent it being damaged, we have to understand how it works and we have to understand what it is that we’re doing that may have an effect. That is perhaps the most important thing that’s facing humanity today. If we want to preserve the richness of the animal world, we have to know how it works. And these are the places that tell you.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Jane Cooper
We talked to Jane Cooper, COO
and president of Herschend Family
Entertainment, about the company
portfolio and all things Dollywood
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
David Attenborough and Jumbo the elephant at the American Museum of Natural History / PHOTO: BBC PICTURES
Sir David Attenborough, the veteran naturalist and broadcaster known for groundbreaking documentaries like Life, Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth, has been working with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) on a new film.
With the working title Jumbo: The Life Of An Elephant Superstar, Attenborough and a team of experts at the AMNH in New York, New York, created a 60-minute documentary that explores the story of the elephant who inspired Disney’s Dumbo.
Jumbo’s moving story began when he was brought to London Zoo in 1865. But the supersize animal was difficult to control and sold to PT Barnum’s circus in the US. More than 20 million Americans came to see Jumbo and the troubled elephant became a star. Attenborough’s upcoming programme investigates Jumbo’s life and the mysterious circumstances of his death, looking too at elephants in the wild and examining changing attitudes to captivity.
“AMNH provided archive photographs and information, along with direct access to Jumbo’s skeleton,” Roberto Lebron, senior director of communications at the museum told Attractions Management. “The production was interested in doing a DNA analysis of the skeleton, which we facilitated – the results will be discussed in the film. The museum’s provost of science Michael Novacek was also interviewed.”
Lebron says the museum is looking into possible related programming for next year.
Attenborough has collaborated with attractions since the 1950s, when he worked on Zoo Quest alongside the BBC and ZSL London Zoo, establishing his talents in front of the camera.
While with the AMNH, Attenborough also filmed a short video about the importance of natural history museums in learning about and protecting the animal kingdom.
He says: “I’ve been fascinated by animals for as long as I can remember and if you’re fascinated by animals, you want to know more about them. The great place to know about them is, of course, museums.
“Institutions like this are the very foundations of all zoological knowledge.
“The natural world is becoming poorer and more damaged. If we want to prevent it being damaged, we have to understand how it works and we have to understand what it is that we’re doing that may have an effect. That is perhaps the most important thing that’s facing humanity today. If we want to preserve the richness of the animal world, we have to know how it works. And these are the places that tell you.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Jane Cooper
We talked to Jane Cooper, COO
and president of Herschend Family
Entertainment, about the company
portfolio and all things Dollywood
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
