THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition urging the BBC not to sack television naturalist Chris Packham.

The Countryside Alliance had called on the Southampton-born Springwatch presenter to be axed, accusing him of abusing his position by promoting what it described as an “increasingly extreme” animal rights agenda.

But almost 50,000 people have signed the online petition supporting him and calling on the BBC to resist any calls to sack him.

The petition site says his opposition to the badger cull is based on “scientific principles”, and that he is “not ‘an animal rights activist’ he is a pro-active conservationist who represents the views of many people across the UK who are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our wildlife”.

They add that “Chris Packham should be applauded for highlighting these topics to the public for their consideration and this should not compromise his ability to educate and entertain the British public”.

The BBC has already said it intends to stand by Packham.