Sir David Attenborough slams Bear Grylls over televised animal kills

British naturalist Sir David Attenborough has criticised Bear Grylls over the killing of animals on his TV shows, saying he'll 'have to answer for himself'.

(File Image) Bear Grylls has faced criticism from Sir David Attenborough over the killing of animals on Grylls' TV shows. Source: Press Association

Sir David Attenborough has criticised Bear Grylls over the killing of animals on his TV shows.

Grylls' shows have seen contestants slaughter caiman crocodiles and pigs in recent series, in scenes which have come under fire from viewers and animal welfare groups.

Sir David, 91, told The Sun: "We've never killed an animal. Bear Grylls will have to answer for himself.

"But I wouldn't willingly kill an animal just to get a shot."

(File Image) Bear Grylls and Sir David Attenborough pictured in 2015. Source: Press Association

A scene on Grylls' show Celebrity Island saw Olympic runner Iwan Thomas and soap star Ryan Thomas kill a caiman crocodile for food, after not eating properly for days.

The scenes proved to be distressing for some viewers, who said on social media that it was "cruel" and "disgusting" to kill an animal for TV.

In 2015, Britain's Channel 4 was accused of "killing animals to boost ratings" after contestants slashed the throat of a pig on The Island With Bear Grylls.

The scenes sparked nearly 500 complaints from viewers.