Tony Soper

Tony Soper (born 10 January 1929) is a British naturalist, author and broadcaster.

Soper was educated at Hyde Park Elementary School and at Devonport High School for Boys, both in Plymouth. He joined the BBC at 17 as a "youth-in-training", subsequently graduating by way of studio manager to features producer in radio, then moved into television.

Soper co-founded the BBC's Natural History Unit as its first film producer, supported by Patrick Beech the then South West Controller. Cutting his teeth on the LOOK series he organised far-flung wildlife filming projects. He presented live television programmes, including Birdwatch, Birdspot, Discovering Birds, Discovering Animals, Beside the Sea, Wildtrack, and Nature. Soper also co-presented Animal Magic with Johnny Morris for a few years in the 1960s.

As Expedition Leader and a pioneer of wildlife cruising, he has spent the last twenty years exploring both polar regions. He holds a British Yachtmaster's licence and is a qualified compressed air, oxygen, hard hat diver.

Soper's wife Hilary is a wildlife painter, and they have two sons.

A single episode of Wildtrack is available as a bonus feature on the DVD of Life on Earth.

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