If you come across an animal track that you want to make a plaster cast of, all you need is the plaster, some water and tools to mix the paste with.

As this video shows, the first step involves creating a dam around the track. It needs to be the right thickness; if it’s too thin, it will break.

You should mix one part water with two parts plaster, trying to get rid of as many lumps as possible.

When you pour the mix, you need to start on the prints but extend the mix to the space isolated by the dam. Smooth it over and wait 15 minutes for the mix to dry and then pick it off the track.