Introducing Creature Candy’s new ambassador, Nina Constable! In order to learn more about the woman behind the camera, we’ve asked Nina questions about herself, her work, and her amazing wildlife encounters.
Tell us a little bit about the work you do and the wildlife you enjoy working with?
I am Nina Constable and I am self shooting wildlife and conservation filmmaker. The work
I do focusses on conservation projects and species, raising awareness of conservation
issues and celebrating the people dedicated to protecting and restoring our natural world.
My work has taken me all over the world from filming elephants, whale sharks and manta
rays in Africa, to beavers in Bavaria and over the past few years, working closer to home
focussing on our UK wildlife.
I work for a wide range of organisations, online and broadcast from WWF, BBC, The
Wildlife Trusts, Save the Elephants and Butterfly Conservation to smaller charities such as
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation, Cornwall Wildlife Trusts and Beaver Trust.
Favourite place in the world to see wildlife?
There are too many to choose from! Over the past few years I have become much more
connected to my local patch and the wildlife on my doorstep and there are some amazing
encounters you can have here in the UK. Early last year I spent a week on Mull shooting
for WWF and spent 20 minutes metres away from an otter feeding and preening, and then
later that day we headed out on a boat and saw a huge pod of bottlenose dolphins that
played around the boat for ages before we then saw about 7 basking sharks!
The Cornwall Beaver Project is one of my favourite places to go near my home, as well as
Lundy Island. Outside of the UK my favourite place to date has been Samburu National
Park in Northern Kenya where I spent 2 months filming for Save the Elephants. I had some
breathtaking encounters and saw such a huge diversity of wildlife from big cats, birds,
elephants, reptiles and so much more!
Best wildlife experience?
Last summer I spent a few months out on boats in search of blue fin tuna and one of these
days I jumped in the water as I had seen a pod of common dolphins a little way of the bow,
as I turned took a deep breath and dived down from the boat 4 dolphins were swimming
straight at me and peeled off either side of me inches from my shoulders. They then swam
circles around me for what felt like an age, turning their belly up to me. It was amazing to
see their curiosity and to be in their space and to be encountering them totally on their
terms. I had a similar experience diving with my boyfriend in Mozambique where we went
on a dive from Zavora and must have had 20 manta rays circling us, barrel rolling inches
from our faces and eyeing us curiously. The visibility was horrible, it was like pea soup, and
so these huge mantas were just appearing out of the gloom for the entire dive. One to
remember!
What animal/wildlife spectacle is still on your wish list?
There are so many, there is so much I have yet to see! I have just finished reading “My
Penguin Year” by the incredible cameraman Lindsay McCrae about his experience living
and working in the Antarctic. This is somewhere I would love to visit and experience.
Penguins exist in one of the harshest environments on the planet and there is something
that I have always loved about them, there is something that looks so dignified yet they live
one of the hardest lives. I think witnessing the return of the emperors at the start of their
breeding season is definitely one of the wildlife spectacles I would love to experience in
person. The noise and the environment always seems so visceral, even from
documentaries, and I can imagine it being tenfold that in person.
Which wild animal do you think needs more awareness raising about its decline?
That’s almost impossible to answer as sadly so many more species than many of us
realise are in decline, threatened or close to extinction. The UK is one of the most nature
depleted countries on the planet so it’s much wider awareness that is needed, of our state
of nature as a whole rather than just one species. There are of course those that are in a
much more dire situation that others but I think in general we need to put more pressure on
our governments to enforce legislation that is actually making a difference, not cleverly
worded measures that placate those that care about the planet but actually put the
economy first. HS2 is a frightening example of this. A totally unnecessary economically
driven construction that is not just a waste of billions of pounds that could be put to
protections for our environment, but instead is destroying swathes of ancient woodlands,
meadows, species that rely on these habitats and communities of people that depend on
these green spaces for their own health and wellbeing. Planting non-native or young trees
elsewhere does not validate the construction, it highlights the futility of it. Despite high
profile and hugely supported campaigns by Chris Packham and communities camping out
in woodlands in protest, petitions being taken to government with hundreds of thousands of
signatures they are still forging ahead. It’s heart breaking and it simply should not be
allowed to happen. The more people are made aware of the reality of the situation
hopefully the more pressure can be put on the government to reverse their decision to
continue.
Biggest Pet Peeve relating to wildlife?
I would say seeing rubbish in our hedgerows or in the sea that looks like it has just been
discarded. It is enraging to see and so easy to hold on to it and dispose of it responsibly.
What would you do if you had a free hour?
Haha, sounds dreamy! I would probably go and read my book by our pond or potter in our
polytunnel, step away from a computer for sure.
One piece of advice for the next generation of naturalists?
I am so inspired and hopeful for the next generation of naturalists that have found their
voice and are creating waves in the world of conservation. Seeing children as young as 6
or 7 standing up for nature is just incredible and many of the young ambassador schemes
that are encouraging more children to speak out and get involved is amazing. My advice
would be to keep a hold of hope. Without hope it can feel futile when decisions are made
that don’t put our natural world and environment first but leaning on the community of
conservationists and naturalists that feel as you do can help keep you hopeful and
inspired. Also remembering that one person can make a difference.
Favourite Creature Candy design?
I love them all, they are all beautiful! Elephants have a very special place in my heart but I
also love the curlew and all of it to be honest!
Discover more about Nina and her work:
Check out Nina’s favourite designs
