Where is the series made?
We go to the Solomon Islands to meet the Shark People, who see sharks as spiritual animals. And we go to the Bodi tribe in Ethiopia to look at the relationship between people and hyenas.
And what was your favourite place?
I loved Mongolia. I learnt how to hunt with an eagle while riding a horse. The people hunt for food or fur with eagles, as they don’t have rifles.
Has the series got lasting value?
The eagle hunters’ culture is very strong and intact but the way of life of the Bodi tribe and the Shark People are under threat.
Global warming means islands have been evacuated in the South Pacific because of storms and flooding. Tribal groups and their traditions are changing.
I felt this was a last opportunity to have a record of how these people live in 2017 alongside these amazing animals.
There must have been hairy moments…
I got an eagle’s talon through my hand. It’s only just got back to normal and it happened five months ago. It almost went all the way through and out the other side. That scared me!
And you cut yourself on coral when you were swimming with sharks?
When it’s pitch black in the water it’s not a good place to be if you are bleeding. Especially after growing up watching Jaws movies.
What did you learn from this series?
To stay calm.
Any memorable moments?
I saw a young man from the Bodi tribe drinking blood from a cow, a tradition to make him stronger. The blood was congealing – it was disgusting. They bled a cow for me and the blood didn’t taste unpleasant.
Do you know David Attenborough?
I did a talk with him in London a couple of years ago. David in my hero, he is such a generous and knowledgeable man.
No one could take his place. Being Scottish, have you ever searched for the Loch Ness monster? I have looked for it with my daughter, but we didn’t find it.
What’s next?
At Christmas I’m going to go looking for the Northern Lights in Scandinavia for the BBC.
Tribes, Predators & Me, BBC2, Thursday, 9pm
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