Taking a walk on the wild side

Doug Allan: Has a sixth sense when it comes to approaching and filming animals.

The Emmy-award winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan — described by David Attenborough as “the toughest in the business” — is touring Ireland this week and next. He will talk at Triskel in Cork on Oct 3.

The Scot, 62, has some remarkable tales to tell. He admits he has one of the best jobs in the world and “the immense privilege” to see first-hand the unusual behaviour of animals in the world’s remote, inhospitable corners. It has its drawbacks, however — missing out on chunks of his children’s upbringing; enduring what he calls “discomfort”, like mosquitoes chewing on his flesh or filming in minus 40 degrees.