NATURE

MORAVA BETWEEN DELUGE AND DROUGHT 1 × 50 min. Written and directed by Manfred Christ and Tomáš Hulík Executive producers: Sabine Holzer, Walter Köhler 4K, 5.1 and Stereo NATURE

The annual flooding defines life along on One of the last and most exceptional the Morava. It is the life force of the remaining riparian wildernesses: join us on wetlands. The floodwater penetrates far an exploration of the Morava River in the inland, creating ponds and puddles and heart of Europe. contributes to the diversity of the local flora and fauna. As soon as the waters articularly in its last 60 kilometres, begin to recede, fish enthusiasts such as along the border between Austria herons and storks settle on the damp and Slovakia, the river develops a ground, attracted by fish trapped in distinctive personality and interna- puddles. Foxes emerge to try a little fishing, Ptional significance, forming vast wetlands and even white-tailed eagles occasionally containing meadows, forests and a wild partake of the generous fish buffet. network of branches and streams. Konik ponies have grazed in the meadows Just a stone’s throw from these wetlands, that surround the stork colony for several there are ancient sand dunes. The animals years. Also known as Polish primitive and plants here thrive in dry, hot and horses, these animals are closely related to sandy surroundings in which the sky the extinct Eurasian wild horse or tarpan appears to meet the land and the sun and and are perfectly adapted to the coarse clouds create picturesque landscapes that environment of the wetlands. A Terra Mater Factual Studios / Cosmos Factory co-production are reminiscent of the American west. White storks close-by are busy at this time Only a few species are able to navigate of year. Several decades ago, the birds both of these vastly different worlds; birds established a colony in ancient oaks behind of prey such as the eastern imperial eagle, a local castle, just 400 metres from the the largest colony in central Europe. but also ground dwellers like wild boars river — and deer move between the two different Depending on season and conditions, up in association with ARTpoint s.r.o. and rtv habitats. Regular flooding often drives the to 30 or 40 breeding pairs inhabit the region’s larger animals to higher, more arid various levels of this WWF nature reserve elevations. Entire herds of red deer, fallow at any one time. deer, wild boars and even mouflons can frequently be seen wading or swimming Slow-moving rivers surrounded by both through the river and its many tributaries. wetlands and an encroaching dry, hot steppe landscape have become scarce in Between May and July, the air is filled with central Europe. This film simultaneously scarce swallowtails. These butterflies glide explores and pays tribute to one of the last on thermal currents without beating their and most exceptional remaining riparian wings for several minutes. Close-by, some wildernesses in this part of the world. of Europe’s most colourful birds, bee-eat- ers, have established a colony.

NATURE

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