18 RIVER OTTERS
Be enchanted by Laurie Campbell’s intimate portrayal of Scotland’s most charming aquatic mammal.
ON THIS MONTH’S COVER
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Wonders ild
Aukan/W
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Campbell; orca: N
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Raccoon: Martin
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COVER Bill Coster/NHPA
INSETS Shutterstock; K Wothe/FLPA; L Campbell
RIVER OTTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 A photographic celebration of the return of a native. RISE OF THE RACCOON . . . . 40 Discover why city living suits this dexterous omnivore. KILLER WHALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Follow the orca pod patrolling the waters off our west coast. STINK BIRD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Meet the hoatzin: the ‘missing link’ bird that thinks it’s a cow. SCARED OF SPIDERS? . . . . . .64 Discover the factors that feed our fear – and how to beat it.
July 2011
40 RISE OF THE RACCOON
Over-fed, over-confident and over the fence: meet the ‘masked bandit’
enjoying success in the city.
51 KILLER WHALES “You can’t fail to be impressed by their extraordinary power and grace, dorsal fins rising and falling in perfect synchrony.” Rob Lott
C ontents July 2011
HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Brett Westwood on the natural wonders of the month, including the best spots to see reintroduced species.
ON THE COVER
RICHARD MABEY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
In raptures over raptors: Norwich’s city peregrines.
NEWS OF THE EARTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Why cetaceans have culture, plus Mark Carwardine spies a glimmer of hope for conservation in China.
DISCOVERIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Fresh revelations from the natural world.
SUBSCRIBE TO BBC WILDLIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Don’t miss your chance to save 39% on every issue
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EXPOSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 A rare glimpse of a French wildcat kitten.
ON THE COVER
PHOTO STORY: AMUR TIGER . . 70
Join the team battling to save this endangered big cat in the snowy wilds of Russia’s Far East.
ON THE COVER
PHOTO MASTERCLASS . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Six pro photographers demonstrate how to use all kinds of light to improve your wildlife images.
Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Our team of experts answers your questions about seal dentistry and the secret of cicadas’ singing.
YOUR LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Share your opinions on any issues raised.
YOUR PHOTOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 The editor chooses your best pictures.
TALES FROM THE BUSH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 The Seychelles’ rarest species are like buses – you trek for hours to find one, then two turn up at once...
82 BOOKS July’s top nature reads reviewed.
85 TV, RADIO & FILM Rachel Ashton selects the month’ s best natural-history film, TV and radio.
86 WILD JORDAN Explore deserts and canyons in search of Nubian ibex.
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ON THE COVER
WELSH DOLPHINS
Be exhilarated watching the bottlenoses of Cardigan Bay.
BBC Wildlife 3
