My country memories

Adopting an orphaned wild otter cub gave broadcaster Philippa Forrester a unique insight into their nature

‘Moving from London to a house by the river in the West Country eight years ago has brought the whole family closer to wildlife.

‘My husband Charlie is a wildlife cameraman and did a survey looking for spraints (otter droppings). When we realised there were otters living on the river, we began making films about them and became known locally as otter experts.

‘On 1 April 2004 we were brought our first orphaned otter cub, Grace. We called the International Otter Survival Fund, which rehabilitates orphaned otters, for guidance. It took a huge amount of work.

‘We released Grace in 2006 by cutting a hole in her enclosure. We thought she'd be out in a flash, but it took her ages. We had a pretty definite sighting of her before Christmas and it made my heart sing, because that's where she should be.'

Broadcaster Philippa Forrester makes natural history programmes with her husband, Charlie Hamilton-James.