River People

by Philip Wayre

River People

1 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Phil]

Philip Wayre was a naturalist who spent many years studying otters. The majority of this book is given over to fascinating accounts of the individual otters he rescued and raised at his wildlife park. Often, a poorly or very young otter would have to be cared for in the Wayre's own home, and these episodes provide some of the funniest moments in the book, as it seems there is very little that is more mischievous than a baby otter!

As well as providing some heart-warming tales and fascinating facts about otter behaviour, Wayre was also writing to encourage people to value otters and stand up for their welfare - at the time this book was published, in 1976, otter hunting was still legal. The final part of the book describes a trip overseas that Wayre and his wife took to study different species of otter in the wild and to find some suitable animals for a breeding programme to help increase otter numbers. He also describes the early days of the Otter Trust, the charity which the couple established.

This was a very readable book which would interest anyone who loves otters or wants to learn more about them.

[Stacy]

Lovely book that provided quite a few details about otters and their lives. The author raised several otters and shared some hysterical and sweet stories about them. The one with the otter taking a ride on a clothesline in the wind had me in stitches.

[Tanner]

It was increadibly good.