Chris Packham has thanked his fans after more than 70,000 people signed a petition urging the BBC not to sack him.

Media bosses faced calls from the Countryside Alliance to dismiss the New Forest presenter after he accused conservation groups of “sitting on the fence” over fox hunting, badger-culling and the plight of hen harriers.

Writing in the BBC Wildlife magazine, Mr Packham said they were “hamstrung by outdated liaisons with the ‘nasty brigade’ and can’t risk upsetting old friends”.

The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance condemned his "obsessive crusades", claiming the Springwatch presenter had “abused the position”.

The organisation’s chief executive, Chris Bonner, said: “As it is an ongoing behaviour, rather than an isolated incident, it is difficult to see how the situation can change.

“If it does not then the BBC’s only answer can be to remove the BBC from Chris Packham’s biography by refusing to employ him anymore.”

The corporation vowed to stand by the 54-year-old presenter, who lives in the New Forest.

But fans launched a petition called Don’t Sack Chris Packham, which has now been signed by tens of thousands of his supporters.

The petition says: “The Countryside Alliance have made an outrageous attack on Chris Packham, wrongly accusing him and telling the BBC to sack him.

“Chris truly cares about wildlife and conservation and has put himself on the line to stand up for his beliefs which are based on sound knowledge."

The petition stressed that Mr Packham had not compromised the BBC by airing his views its programmes.

In a video, the television naturalist thanked fans for their support and urged them to join the RSPB, Birders Against Wildlife Crime and the League Against Cruel Sports. He also invited them to read Mark Avery’s book Inglorious, about grouse shooting.

He said: “Thank you. At the moment those two little words just can’t summon the gravitas to express exactly how I feel, they’re not adequate.

“I am immensely grateful for all of the support you have shown me this week. It has been absolutely tremendous.”

Last night the BBC repeated the statement it issued after Mr Bonner called for Mr Packham to be sacked.

The statement says: "Chris Packham is a scientist and author in his own right and is not solely employed by the BBC.

“If Chris Packham wishes to express his personal views outside of his employment on BBC natural history programmes, he is entitled to do so