Springwatch - Guide to Otters

Expedition Croc Attack

July 2015 •English

a documentary about crocodiles

Serengeti

February 2011 •German

Main subject of Serengeti is the mass migration of wildebeest , which in search of nutritious grass hundreds of kilometers annually by the savannah draw. At the end of the rainy season, they break into a huge herd of over a million animals on the north. The wildebeest and other animals are joining the migration, as zebras and gazelles , continuously exposed to hazards, particularly by predators such as lions and cheetahs . A highlight of the great migration, the crossing of the Mara is: There, the wildebeest have to overcome not only meter high cliffs, they are also crocodiles delivered. With the onset of the rainy season, however, leave the wildebeest north again what had long been a mystery. The reason for this is that the grass in the north a phosphorus deficiency , and said thus wildebeest forces to retreat to the south.

Killer Whales: the Mega Hunt

December 2016 •English

A newly discovered mega-hunt is happening off the coast of South Africa. In an epic annual spectacle in False Bay, a pod of cunning killer whales hunt 5,000 common dolphins.

Venom Islands

January 2012 •English

Venom expert Dr. Bryan Fry embarks on a dangerous island journey to uncover the deadly secrets of vipers, stonefish and the formidable Komodo dragon.

Wild Florida

February 2020 •English

Florida is home to beaches, coral reefs, pine forests and the famous Everglades wetland, but a growing human population and abandoned exotic pets like pythons are threatening this wild paradise. Can Florida’s ecosystems continue to weather the storm?

The Alps

December 2020 •German

The Alps – wild mountains, extreme lives, but also a magical world. This majestic mountain range connects eight countries and reaches heights of up to 4,000 metres above sea level. At a length of 1,200 kilometres, the Alps form both a connecting bridge between western and eastern Europe and a high barrier between southern and central Europe. The mountains act as a mighty water reservoir and continental watershed, feeding innumerable rivers that flow into three different oceans. Their highest peak, Mont Blanc, is surrounded by long, soaring mountains with ice-covered slopes. These great summits are just one reason the so-called “Roof of Europe” continues to fascinate – across the continent and around the world. The incredible diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna makes the Alps a unique natural treasure at the heart of Europe.

The Wild Forest

October 2021 •German

“Let nature be nature” is the philosophy of the Bavarian Forest National Park. Despite massive resistance, this vision has become a groundbreaking showcase project. Because humans do not interfere with nature, the former commercial forests grow into a primeval forest, a unique ecosystem and a refuge for biodiversity. People from all over the world come here. They are looking for answers to the question of why we need more wild nature and what we can learn from it to preserve forests for future generations in times of climate change.

Life and Death at Mala Mala

May 2023 •English

Journey to the banks of the Sand River, where seven magnificent creatures reign supreme. In this captivating 24-hour odyssey, witness their pursuit, survival, and delicate balance of power-Marvel at their strength, vulnerability, and relentless determination. Encounter the neighbours from hell, territorial battles, and the intricate dance of interactions. Within this unfolding drama, the biggest, most potent, fastest, and smartest thrive while others meet their fate. Brace yourself for an unforgettable adventure-a testament to resilience, survival, and the raw beauty of seven of Africa's magnificent creatures.

Gorillas of Gabon

October 2019 •English

A race is on to save Gabon’s Moukalaba-Doudou National Park and the silverback gorillas that call it home. Once, this area was protected by a thriving oil industry, but now, big companies are moving out and the logging industry is poised to move in. Ecotourism could be the only way to prevent the trees of this rainforest from coming down, but a team of conservationists needs to make the gorillas of Gabon tolerant of humans first. Follow them as they get up-close with the gorillas, study their moves, and journey to war-torn Central African Republic to learn the secrets of successful gorilla habituation.

Cheetahs of the Linyanti

August 2022 •English

Introducing Gunner, a Cheetah born amidst the merciless killing fields of Botswana's Linyanti, where Africa's most formidable predators reign. In this treacherous realm, Gunner emerges as the runt of his litter, his playful nature overshadowing his instinct to hunt. Safeguarded by his vigilant brothers, fate deals a devastating blow as tragedy befalls them, leaving Gunner to face an unforgiving reality. Time is of the essence, for a ruthless coalition of cheetahs sets its sights on seizing Gunner's territory, sparing no expense. To endure against impossible odds, this underdog must swiftly forge a solitary path to survival.

Luangwa's Baboon Kingdom

April 2023 •English

A look at the baboon kingdom of Luangwa.

Predators of the Savuti

April 2023 •English

A look at the predators of the Savuti

Infested! Living With Parasites

February 2014 •English

Dr Michael Mosley explores the bizarre and fascinating world of parasites by turning his body into a living laboratory and deliberately infesting himself with them.

Extreme der Tiefsee - Abysses

December 2018 •French

Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3D

September 2014 •English

In this journey through the seasons, you’ll experience a year in the life of hundreds of plant-eating dinosaurs. From the moment they hatch, these prehistoric giants face natural disasters and ferocious predators while hunting, feeding, playing, and undertaking epic migrations. Based on scientific data, the digital dinosaurs come to life against the backdrop of modern Alaska.

Amazing Mighty Micro Monsters 3D

June 2017 •English

Super powers exist. Right here on Earth. And they are beneath our feet. They include beetles that shoot chemical fire and lift enormous weights; scorpions that glow in the dark with astonishing crushing powers; spiders that can make themselves virtually invisible and hypnotise their prey; even a bug that can transform itself into another creature entirely. Prepare to be amazed in this 3D giant screen adventure, with narration from the likes of world renowned naturalist David Attenborough, which explores the hidden world of the super-powered bugs.

Saving Otter 501

October 2013 •English

From PBS and NATURE - On a typical late summer day a baby sea otter washes up on the beach in Monterey, California - hungry, lost, injured. It's a tragic event, but not surprising. California sea otters are struggling. For decades marine biologist Karl Mayer and his small staff have worked unceasingly - one otter at a time - to bring this "keystone" species back from the brink of extinction so it can play its important role in the local marine environment. But the effort has stalled, and no one knows why. This is the story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's 501st attempt to save an orphan otter. From her discovery as a stranded newborn pup crying on the beach through her rehabilitation in secret roof tanks atop the Aquarium, we follow as Otter 501 learns how to dive, hunt, eat, and fend for herself in the wild, where survival is a long shot at best.

Nature: Great Zebra Exodus

May 2013 •English

Each year, far from human eyes, a remote expanse of Botswana's Makgadikgadi salt pans hosts one of Africa's last great spectacles when thousands of striped nomads wander the breathtakingly beautiful but barren landscape. It is only by the grace of isolated summer rains that the zebras can survive here at all. Family groups gather together to follow the rains, driven by a constant search for better grazing on islands of grass that dot the pans. Meerkat families watch the zebras come and go, and families of lions wait for them along their grueling trek, hoping for a chance to bring one down. Their journey is one that is sometimes limited by the fragility of new life, but always made possible by the strong family ties that help animals survive in one of Africa's most surreal landscapes. It's a tale of loyalty and sacrifice, of home and exile, of death and new life, in southern Africa's largest zebra population.

Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years

June 1985 •English

Documentary about the life of explorer Jacques Cousteau.

Voyage to the Edge of the World

September 1976 •French

On his ship "Calypso," as well as in a submarine, Jacques Cousteau and his crew sail from South America and travel to Antarctica. They explore islands, reefs, icebergs, fossils, active volcanic craters, and creatures of the ocean never before seen. This voyage took place in 1975, and Captain Cousteau became one of the first explorers ever to dive beneath the waters of the frozen South Pole.