Terry Nutkins facts for kids

Terry Nutkins was an English naturalist, TV presenter, and author. He was born on August 12, 1946, and passed away on September 6, 2012. Many people remember him from popular UK children's TV shows like Animal Magic and The Really Wild Show. He also appeared in Brilliant Creatures and Growing Up Wild.

Terry Nutkins' Early Life and Animal Work

Terry Nutkins was born in Marylebone, London. He spent most of his childhood there. He loved animals from a young age. He even skipped school sometimes to visit the elephants at London Zoo.

Living with Otters in Scotland

When Terry was twelve, he went to work in Scotland. A naturalist named Gavin Maxwell needed help. Maxwell was studying otters at his home near Glenelg. Terry was only supposed to stay for the summer. However, he ended up living and working with Maxwell for several years. His parents gave their permission for him to stay.

Maxwell became Terry's legal guardian. Terry described living with Maxwell as a "peculiar existence." They lived in a very isolated place. Maxwell was charming but also difficult. He sometimes had severe mood swings. During this time, Maxwell wrote many books. One of them was the very famous Ring of Bright Water in 1960.

An Accident with an Otter

When Terry was 15, he had an accident. One of the otters, named Edal, bit him. Terry lost parts of two fingers on his right hand. He later explained that the otter became aggressive. This happened because of a scent on a jumper he was wearing. The jumper had belonged to a woman the otter had previously bitten.

Terry revisited the place where he lived with Maxwell. This was shown on the BBC's Countryfile programme in 2010.

Terry Nutkins' TV Career

In the 1980s, Terry Nutkins became a TV star. He co-presented Animal Magic with Johnny Morris. Terry saw Johnny Morris as his second mentor. He had hand-reared a California sea lion named Gemini. Gemini often appeared with Terry on the show.

Animal Magic ended in 1983. A year later, Terry was asked to create a new animal series. This became The Really Wild Show. He presented this popular show from 1986 to 1993.

Terry also appeared in other TV shows. In April 2009, he co-presented My Life as an Animal. This BBC Three programme showed young people living like animals.

Terry Nutkins' Passing

Terry Nutkins passed away on September 6, 2012. He was 66 years old. He had been receiving treatment for a serious illness for nine months. He died at his home in Glenelg, Scotland. He was survived by his wife and eight children.

Books by Terry Nutkins

• Pets (Factfinders) (with Marshall Corwin) BBC Books (1989)

Audio Books Narrated by Terry Nutkins

• The Really Wild Animal Tape Listen for Pleasure (1995)
• Animal Magic: A Jungle Story Listen for Pleasure, (1997)