Lecture on Kevin Maxwell and His Otter, Midgeville

Background

• Kevin Maxwell: Resident in a cottage in Khamasferna, West Highlands, Scotland.
• Pet History: Lost his dog, Johnny; too sad to consider getting another dog.
• Decision to Get an Otter: Inspired during a visit to Iraq in 1956; Khamasferna's water-surrounded location seemed ideal for an otter.

Journey to Obtain an Otter

• Advice from a Friend: Get an otter from Tigris marshes, common and often tamed by Arabs.
• Trip to Basra, Iraq for mail collection:
  • Delays in receiving mail.
  • Friend sent him an otter in a sack along with a note.
• First Encounter with the Otter:
  • Initial appearance: looked like a small, medieval dragon.
  • Cleaned the mud off after a month; named the otter Midgeville (Mee).
  • Zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli (Maxwell’s Otter), a previously unknown species.

Early Interactions with Midgeville

• Behaviour: Initially aloof and indifferent.
• Bonding: Slept near Kevin; showed keen interest in surroundings.
• Joy in Water: Loved playing in the bathtub; characteristic splashing behaviour.

Midgeville’s Escapades

• Escaped to the bathroom, managed to turn on the tap.
• Followed Kevin without a lead, responded to his name.
• Played with a rubber ball like a soccer player and juggled small objects.

Moving Back to England

• Challenges in transporting Midgeville to England:
  • British Airlines policy against animals.
  • Had to travel via Paris; placed Midgeville in a box that caused injury due to cutting edges.
  • Turbulent journey to the airport and on the plane; escaped the box, causing chaos. – Interaction with a helpful air hostess.

Life in London

• Activities:
  • Played with various toys; invented games, especially with a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase.
  • Walks on a lead; developed compulsive behaviours like children do.
• Reactions from Londoners: Most couldn’t identify Midgeville:
  • Guesses included various mustelines and random animals: seal, squirrel, walrus, hippo, beaver, bear cub, leopard, and brontosaur.
  • Best guess came from a laborer: "What is that supposed to be?"