Kunchala’s fascination with wildlife began at age four after a classroom lecture on a plastic‑poisoned whale, a moment that sparked his lifelong advocacy. In a National Geographic Kids interview, he recalled how the image of the dead whale left him unsettled and motivated him to raise awareness about the threats facing wildlife.
The same year he started filming videos with his father. The first clip, featuring a robin he named Regee, became his entry point into public storytelling. Over the next few years, those videos evolved into a television presence—guest spots on BBC, Sky Kids and Channel 5, and a regular segment on CBeebies’ "Go Wild with Steve Backshall".
His early career hit a milestone on 18 March 2022 when he presented "COP27: Six Ways to Save Our Planet" at the age of seven years, 288 days, earning the Guinness World Record for youngest male documentary presenter. In January 2025, he set another record by identifying 28 distinct animal sounds in one minute, a feat that landed him a Guinness title for the most animal sounds identified by someone under 16.
Recognition followed: the 2024 Diana Award for child‑led wildlife conservation, the British Citizen Youth Award, and a Young Scientific Explorer honour from the Scientific Exploration Society. He also became a National Trust ambassador and the first young columnist for National Geographic Kids UK, where he shares advice on citizen science projects.
STARMUS, an international festival that blends science, space, tech, music and the arts, announced the Junior Jane Goodall Earth Medal on 10 October 2025. The medal, named after the famed primatologist, celebrates young people who inspire others to protect biodiversity. The award ceremony will be part of STARMUS VIII, scheduled for October 17‑22, 2026, in Tenerife and La Palma.
The festival will also honour Spanish science communicator Valeria Corrales with a Junior Stephen Hawking Medal, underscoring STARMUS’s commitment to spotlighting youth voices in science. Kunchala’s own approach—mixing storytelling with practical encouragement—has already reached millions, especially children who feel too young to act.
On Oct. 17, 2026, Kunchala will receive the medal in front of a global audience, a moment that will cement his status as a pioneer of youth‑led conservation. The event is expected to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards across the world.