Researchers Dive Into Animal Lives to Uncover River Tone's Hidden Risks

In Somerset, a group of researchers has taken a creative approach to understanding and protecting local wildlife. As part of a project called Risks Beyond Human Eyes, volunteers and scientists teamed up to experience life as different animals living near the River Tone. The project is a collaboration between the risk research company ASRA and the University of the West of England. Their goal was to find out what kinds of dangers animals face in their natural habitats, especially those caused by humans, and to see if living like the animals could help them learn more.

Over a period of six months, volunteers chose to imitate five different species: red deer, otter, earthworm, kestrel, and salmon. Each person spent several hours at a time trying to live as their chosen animal. For example, artist Fiona MacDonald decided to experience life as an otter. She used a body board and an underwater camera to surf down the river, trying to feel what it was like to move with the current as an otter would. Fiona described the experience as dramatic and eye-opening. She realized that otters face many challenges, such as crossing roads that have been built across their usual paths. Since otters are so low to the ground, they cannot see cars coming the way humans can. They do not have the experience of being taught to look both ways before crossing, which puts them at risk of being hit by vehicles.

Another volunteer, Helen Lewy, chose to see the world from the perspective of a kestrel, a bird of prey. Helen went out to a meadow and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a kestrel searching for a place to nest and hunting for food. She said that this experience gave her a new perspective on the landscape and helped her understand the challenges birds face. The project leader, scientist Phil Tovey, explained that the team wanted to look at the bigger picture of how risks affect animals. He said that when something changes in one part of the environment, it can have a ripple effect and impact many other parts. For example, building a road does not just affect otters; it can also change how hedgerows grow, where voles live, and how the whole community of animals interacts.

The researchers believe that by living like animals, they can better understand their needs and the dangers they face. They hope their findings will help people make better decisions about how to protect wildlife. The results of their research will be published in scientific journals so that others can learn from their work. The team also encourages people in Somerset to share their own stories and ideas about local wildlife. By working together and seeing the world through the eyes of animals, the researchers hope to inspire more people to care about and protect the natural world around them.