Beatrix Stoepel

Picture a land of boulder-strewn shorelines, isolated mountaintops, and golden prairies. Here, packs of wolves stalk herds of ancient mustangs and tree-climbing carnivores keep entire forests on edge. Meanwhile, high above the crashing surf, a pair of storks attempts to raise a family on a narrow ledge atop a towering cliff. EUROPE'S WILD WEST is a place where survival is reserved for those with the keenest senses... and the quickest draw.

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Dark green, impenetrable forests cover a landscape with secluded valleys and rugged mountain ridges. 2.000 rivers and streams dig deep into the underground and transport their water into reservoirs or "Germany's Wild Amazon", the Wupper. These forests and rivers, together with heath-lands and moors, are home to a diverse fauna. Martens, badgers, wild boars, hares, roe deer, red deer and wild boars, even black grouse and hazel deer find shelter in these parts. Wolves have also have a dominant presence, not to mention those who live underground, such as lizards, bats, and snakes. Accompany us on a journey where we explore every corner of this rugged land. Climb underground into the Bergisches Land, through the vast hidden cave systems that sprawl far beneath the forests. There is also much to be discovered in the water, dive with us in crystal clear streams and rivers with their diverse flora and fauna.

The charismatic cats are generally quite shy, but very curious about the world around them. With the help of local rangers and 15 cameras set up in the Bohemian forest, we are able to track the lynxes and observe their every move – such as a hunt during night, or even the intimate hours during mating season. For the lynx, the environment around them is used to their advantage, like the long grass to sneak on prey, or even using the trees to sharpen their claws. With an arsenal of skills at their disposal, the lynx is an exceptional hunter. Come with us as we see these skills in action!

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Between water, reeds, and sky: The Danube Delta reveals the wild side of Europe. This documentary takes you into a natural paradise that is constantly changing – and enchanting.

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No one in nature has mastered the art of deception like mantises. These seemingly innocent creatures are among the most feared predators in the insect world. Find out how they live, how they breed and who their biggest enemies are... They're killers. They kill their prey with incredible precision. They fight kung-fu style and are considered a symbol of vigilance in Japan. Who are they? Mantises, of course. They have an unmistakable, uniquely bendable head in the shape of a triangle. Two large eyes unerringly measure their prey. The thoracic part of their body is greatly elongated and studded with sharp protrusions that can stab an unfortunate victim with the speed of a switchblade. Mantises have a reputation for being stealthy creatures, especially as they are rarely seen. They are perfectly adapted to their environment, whether moving among leaves, flowers, tree bark, sandy soil or even flowering orchids.