Zoologist, author and presenter Desmond Morris dies aged 98

A picture


The zoologist Desmond Morris, perhaps best known for his book The Naked Ape and his work on the ITV programme Zoo Time, has died aged 98,Morris’s son Jason paid tribute to him after his death on Sunday, praising his many professional achievements as well as his role as a father and grandfather,“His was a lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity,” Jason said,“A zoologist, manwatcher, author and artist, he was still writing and painting right up until his death,He was a great man and an even better father and grandfather.

”Morris rose to prominence in 1967 when The Naked Ape became an international bestseller.He was also a prolific producer of surrealist art, often painting until 4am.He acknowledged that his work may have been indirectly influenced by his knowledge of natural history and nature and his lifelong interest in the reproductive behaviour of animals.Born in Wiltshire in 1928, Morris began his two years of national service in the British army in 1946 before pursuing his interest in the arts and studying natural history.Morris studied zoology at the University of Birmingham and completed a doctorate in animal behaviour at Oxford University, where he remained to study the reproductive behaviour of birds.

He became the face of the ITV Granada nature series Zoo Time in 1956.The show ran until 1967, featuring animal experts and zoo staff and exploring the behaviour of animals.Morris also hosted art exhibitions, including one at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1957 which combined his interest in animals and painting, showcasing works created by chimpanzees.He also co-organised an exhibition titled The Lost Image in 1958, which compared images created by infants, human adults and apes and was displayed at the Royal Festival Hall in London.Morris became the Zoological Society’s curator of mammals at London zoo in 1959 and held the post for eight years.

He started his career with the BBC in 1965, hosting its Life in the Animal World programme, and later went on to present many documentaries for the corporation, including Manwatching (1977), TV and Natural History (1986) and The Human Animal (1994).He also had regular appearances on shows such as The Animals Roadshow and Friday Night, Saturday Morning.After the success of The Naked Ape: A Zoologist’s Study of the Human Animal, in 1967, he wrote follow-up books including The Human Zoo (1969), Manwatching (1977) and The Naked Man (1977).He contributed to more than 90 titles in his decades-long academic career dedicated to the study of animals and zoology.The BBC released a programme titled The Secret Surrealist in 2017 showcasing Morris and his artwork which examined his “double-life” as a painter.

Morris told the Guardian last year that one painting he had made in 1948 had sold for more than £50,000 two years previously.“I was cross because I wanted to buy it myself.It was one of my favourite paintings and I wanted it back.”
A picture

Georgina Hayden’s quick and easy recipe for smoky prawn, new potato and spinach stew | Quick and easy

This Spanish-style stew is a superb midweek dinner – it’s effortless but looks specialThis Spanish-inspired stew is a great weeknight dinner, particularly if you are having a few friends over, because it feels a bit special while actually being effortless and easy. If you want to take that effortlessness to the next level, make the potato base in advance, then finish off with the spinach and prawns just before serving (I like to do as little cooking as possible in front of guests, leaving me free to chat and pour drinks). Serve with a peppery, lemon-dressed salad on the side and hunks of crusty bread to mop up the juices.Prep 5 min Cook 35 min Serves 44 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 5 garlic cloves, peeled, 4 finely sliced, 1 left whole½ tsp sweet smoked paprika ¼ tsp mild chilli powder 1 tbsp tomato puree 250g ripe tomatoes, choppedSea salt and black pepper 300ml fish stock 600g new potatoes, halved (or quartered if very large)1 lemon 150g baby spinach 350g peeled king prawns, deveined, if you like6 tbsp mayonnaise ½ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely choppedPut a large, deep, ovenproof frying pan on a medium-low heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Add the sliced garlic, fry for a minute, then stir in the paprika, chilli powder and tomato puree

A picture

How to make creme caramel – recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

I don’t know why this classic French dessert isn’t more popular online, given how pleasant it is to watch a softly set custard jiggling seductively on screen, or to admire the way the light bounces off its glossy, caramel top. Worse still, it’s also increasingly hard to find on menus, too. Well, you know what they say: if you want something done well, do it yourself.Prep 15 min Cook 50 minCool 4 hr+ Makes 6For the custardSoft butter, or neutral oil (eg, sunflower, vegetable or groundnut), for greasing500ml whole milk (see step 2)1 vanilla pod, or 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 whole eggs 100g caster sugar 4 egg yolksFor the caramel60g caster sugar 40g soft dark brown sugar (see step 3)1 pinch saltLightly grease six dariole moulds, small pudding bowls or smooth-sided ramekins.Arrange these on a baking tray or shallow tin, preferably one just large enough to hold them all without too much room around the edge, and put it within easy reach of the hob

A picture

Making a splash: demand for raw and ‘brewed’ milk growing in UK

Farmers and delivery firms launch new options for those seeking alternative to traditionally pasteurised productRaw milk has long been popular, as well as controversial, in the US. While health authorities warn it can carry harmful bacteria, supporters argue it is more natural, and it has also become tied to anti-government and “natural living” movements.In the UK, it is now gaining popularity, particularly among younger consumers, farmers say, as a less processed option, with new products launching to meet demand.Raw milk comes straight from the cow (or sheep or goat) and has not been pasteurised, the process of heating liquids to eliminate harmful pathogens and make them safe to drink.Because it does not undergo this heat treatment, the Food Standards Agency warns that raw milk can cause food poisoning, posing particular risks to pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immune systems

A picture

Holy Carrot, London E1: ‘As good as plant-based dining gets’ – restaurant review | Grace Dent on restaurants

This place is about so much more than just a portobello mushroom in a white bap masquerading as dinnerHoly Carrot has, cough, taken root in Spitalfields, east London. It’s the second sprouting from this plant-based restaurant with a name that’s especially hard to sell to meat-loving friends. “Please come with me to a vegan restaurant,” one might say. “It’s not one of those pious places, honest! Oh, um, the name? Holy Carrot.” In fairness, though, it’s generally tricky to cajole meaty people to venture anywhere vegan or even vegetarian, because there’s always a sense that your steak addict acquaintance is enduring their meal “as an experiment”, and despite quite charitably being “willing to be convinced”

A picture

Helen Goh’s recipe for Anzac sandwich biscuits with dark chocolate filling | The sweet spot

Anzac biscuits are closely associated with Anzac Day on 25 April, which commemorates the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served in the first world war. Made with oats, coconut and golden syrup, the biscuits are said to have been popular because they travelled well and kept for long periods, making them suitable for sending to forces overseas. My version here, a slightly less austere take on the classic, sandwiches two small biscuits with a lightly salted, olive oil-enriched dark chocolate ganache. The result is crisp at the edges, soft within and not too sweet.Prep 5 min Cook 35 min, plus cooling Makes 12 sFor the biscuits 90g rolled oats 45g plain flour 40g light brown sugar 30g caster sugar 40g desiccated coconut 80g unsalted butter 40g golden syrup ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¼ tsp fine sea saltFor the ganache110g dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), chopped60ml single cream 2 tsp olive oil ¼ tsp flaky sea saltPut the oats, flour, sugars and coconut in a medium bowl and whisk to combine

A picture

Just the tonic: why it’s more than a mixer

If a tonic is something that “makes you feel stronger and happier”, my tonics come in the form of good wine, bad chocolate and an ageing whippet called Ernie. Recently, though, I’ve found myself craving the OG tonic – tonic water – which started life as a malaria treatment in the age of the British empire.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more