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The naturalist showed the first live specimen of the primitive bony fish on TV. But is it a living fossil as claimed? From 2009.

The Coelacanth is a primitive bony fish thought to be an important ancestor to all back-boned animals that ventured onto land.

David Attenborough brought to TV the first film of a living fish in Life on Earth. But is it the living fossil it was claimed to be?

Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world.

Producer: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2009.

7 days left to listen

10 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 May 2026 01:45
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

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Faking FossilsSeries 1

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The DodoSeries 1

See all episodes from David Attenborough's Life Stories

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  • Fri 28 Aug 2009 20:50
    BBC Radio 4
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    BBC Radio 4
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    BBC Radio 7
  • Sun 8 Nov 2015 11:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
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    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 17 May 2026 11:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 17 May 2026 17:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 18 May 2026 01:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra