麻豆社

Chris Packham relives programmes from The Living World archives.

First published 90 years ago this year Henry Williamsons 'Tarka the Otter' followed the life and death struggles of a male otter and raised the awareness of this much loved mustelid in the public imagination. Suffering from years of decline by the 1960's the otter population was in steep decline, but by the time of this programme from 1993, the fortunes of the otter were beginning to improve. Joining Jessica Holm on the then newly opened Tarka Trail in Devon are local naturalist Trevor Beer who knew Henry Williamson, and otter biologist Paul Chanin. The programme follows in the footsteps of Williamson's book thereby allowing Jessica to uncover along the way signs of otter activity, though the chances of seeing this largely nocturnal animal were unlikely.

Producer Andrew Dawes.