‘Emotional and horrific’: volunteers ‘live’ as Somerset animals to study wildlife risks

Eighteen volunteers lived as various Somerset wildlife for six weeks to study the risks faced by animals in human-dominated landscapes. Participants embodied species including otters, salmon, earthworms, red deer, and kestrels, experiencing the world from their perspectives. This pioneering research aimed to document the specific dangers these animals encounter, such as a kestrel observing a dog, an exhausted salmon approaching a weir, or an otter reacting to a train's rumble. The project sought to provide a more intimate understanding of wildlife challenges by having humans simulate animal behaviors like swimming, slithering, and soaring. The initiative was conducted in the River Tone area, highlighting the intersection of human activity and the natural environment.