NATURE ENVIRONMENT

DOCUMENTARY 30 MIN.

VERSIONS Arabic, English, Spanish

RIGHTS Not available worldwide. Please contact your regional distribution partner.

ORDER NUMBER Guardians of Nature 26 4723 | 01– 27

Humans have made the earth their playground. Unspoilt habitats fall victim to merciless ex- ploitation, cleared or ravaged for things it is believed we cannot live without. But we are all part of nature and cannot survive without it. More and more people are realising that the environ- ment is more than just a supplier of cheap and abundant materials. Many are getting involved in nature conservation projects. Some dedicate their fortune, others their time; some even risk their lives. Their aim is the same: to preserve our planet’s biodiversity for the future. These people are Guardians of Nature.

01 The American Dream of Saving the 04 Rain Attorney World The largest remaining rain forest in Growing numbers of people in the central America is Bosawas in northern United States are rallying to save the Nicaragua. The area has been classi- world from environmental destruction. fied a world natural heritage site, but is From music stars like Willie Nelson to nevertheless under threat from illegal private individuals, people are getting settlements and toxic substances used involved in countless nature conserva- in the extraction of gold. State attorney tion initiatives. Indiana Fuentes is heading a campaign to save this unique part of nature. 02 My Own Nature Park Douglas Tompkins is the founder of 05 Tracking Climate Change fashion giant Esprit and outdoor-gear The global climate is changing as a company The North Face. He’s also the result of human activity, and although owner of the world’s largest private industry in southern Africa is only a nature reserve. Since selling his busi- minor contributor to such change, this nesses, he has devoted himself to nature part of the world is particularly badly af- protection, using his wealth to buy up fected. The region is drying up. Scientist and put under conservation large tracts Norbert Jürgens is spokesman for the of unspoiled terrain in South America. BIOTA network of research projects that document the consequences of climate 03 The Ape Man of Vietnam change. Vietnam is home to many endangered species of ape that are found nowhere 06 On the Trail of the Timber Mafia else. Tilo Nadler is dedicated to ensur- It’s not just the world’s rain that ing they don’t die out. His job includes are threatened by the chainsaw: Some training Vietnamese rangers and releas- of the last primeval forests in Europe ing illegally caught animals back into are also falling victim – even where the the wild. are protected by law. One of the worst offenders is Russia, where timber from the taiga forests is ending up as cheap construction material in western DIY markets. Thomas Henningsen of the Moscow Greenpeace office investi- gates the trade routes and methods of Europe’s illegal timber mafia. dw transtel NATURE ENVIRONMENT

DOCUMENTARY 30 MIN.

VERSIONS 07 The Rain Forest Ranger 10 Solidarity Against Drought Arabic, English, Spanish In 2002, the Brazilian government put Vast swathes of land are turning to the Tumucumaque area on the border desert in Burkina Faso. Climate change RIGHTS to Surinam and French Guyana under is making rainfall on the edge of the Sa- Not available worldwide. conservation. It’s the largest national hara unpredictable. Conflicts among the Please contact your regional park in the world and is still an incom- population are worsening. Communi- distribution partner. parable, unspoilt area of biodiversity. ties are breaking up, and entire villages But growing numbers of human have been deserted. Madame Fanta ORDER NUMBER interlopers are moving in to exploit its works for an aid organization run by 26 4723 | 01– 27 wealth. Park manager Christoph Jaster Muslims and Christians. She is responsi- is the man in charge of ensuring the ble for the construction of boulis, village protection of this vast territory. water reservoirs with fields nearby for small-scale farmers. Pre-conditions for 08 Protection for Threatened Mangrove their use are cooperation and tolerance Forests among village residents. The boulis are The mangroves’ bizarrely interwoven making it possible for people to remain root structures represent a unique habi- in their changing homeland. tat in tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions. Where salty and fresh water 11 Taking Care of the Soil mingle, the mangrove forests provide Industrial soil cultivation and livestock protection for countless creatures. They farming are endangering biodiversity. are essential for the survival of many For Sepp Braun, an organic farmer in species of fish, and therefore for the Germany, these modern methods are on livelihood of the local population. But the wrong track. He aims to work in har- mangroves are being destroyed all over mony with nature, instead of fighting the world, by tourism, environmental against it. His efforts are paying off, and pollution or, for example in Brazil, his fields are more fertile than those of industrial shrimp cultivation. Ulf Mehlig his neighbors who farm in conventional and Clemente Coelho are committed to ways. The soil on Sepp Braun’s farm is maintaining these indispensable habi- able to absorb vast amounts of green- tats. house gases.

09 The Battle for Indigenous Species 12 An Island for Humans and Monkeys European settlers in New Zealand The Indonesian island of Maratua lies introduced carnivores unknown to the off the coast of Borneo. Sea nomads country at the time – for example cats, have settled here, built houses and rats and different types of marten. This cultivated fields. But their presence has was a catastrophe for indigenous fauna, not gone down well with the indigenous most of which were birds. Now the residents of the small island – a popula- island nation is working to protect its tion of macaques. Biologist Thomas natural heritage. Environment ministry Ziegler is looking for ways to facilitate employee Bruce Thomas eradicated all the coexistence of humans and mon- invasive animals from an island off the keys. coast, Breaksea Island. Now indigenous species there have been given a new chance to survive.

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DOCUMENTARY 30 MIN.

VERSIONS 13 The Arctic Circle’s Primeval Forest 17 Battling an Arabic, English, Spanish The Muddus National Park is situated Nile Monitor lizards, up to two meters in the far north of Sweden. At its heart in length, are cropping up more and RIGHTS is one of the last primeval forests in Eu- more often in the canals and swimming Not available worldwide. rope. Jan Stuge is a Muddus . pools of Cape Coral in Florida. They or Please contact your regional It’s his job to make sure people can con- their ancestors were once exotic house distribution partner. tinue to visit the forest without damag- pets dumped by their owners. They are ing its sensitive eco-system. After all, the posing a further threat to indigenous ORDER NUMBER more people experience such pristine species, many of which are already in 26 4723 | 01–27 natural surroundings, the greater the danger of dying out. Biologist Conny awareness of the need to protect them. Spurfeld is looking for solutions to the problem. 14 Safe Passage for Elephants Botswana is home to about 130,000 18 The Rain Forest Academy elephants – and that’s putting an envi- Man’s voracious appetite for natural re- ronmental and economic strain on the sources is threatening the lands and the human population. Many of the animals way of life of the indigenous tribes of originate from regions in Namibia the Amazon Basin. In Ecuador, the Ama- and Angola affected by civil war. Now zonica Academy, founded by publisher they are retracing their steps through Mascha Kauka, aims to help the Indio densely populated areas. Ecologist Mike peoples live with modern technology Chase is trying to establish conservation and in harmony with nature. Education enclaves that link Botswana with other and exchange programs should help the elephant habitats. inhabitants of the region secure long- term sources of income. 15 Saving the Elbe Floodplain The floodplain of the River Elbe was 19 Campaigning for Iceland’s Landscapes once an open expanse of meadowland Iceland has an abundance of energy rich in flora and fauna. It was sustained sources thanks to its unique geology. by the grazing habits of large herbivores Electricity, for example, can be generat- such as wild horses, wisent and aurochs. ed almost everywhere with geothermal Today these areas are monocultures, or energy and hydropower. This attracts have been lost to forest encroachment. energy-intensive industries such as Andreas Wenk has now introduced a aluminium-smelting. Omar Ragnars- descendant of the extinct aurochs to the son is a journalist and environmentalist Elbe Valley floodplain. who campaigns for the protection of Iceland’s unspoiled territories, which he 16 Frog Sanctuary views as the nation’s greatest asset. The Panamanian are home to many species of frog. But the amphib- 20 Rehabilitating Baboons ians are threatened by a deadly skin in- Baboons often raid houses and gardens fection. The chytrid fungus has already in South Africa, and that makes them wiped out frog populations worldwide. unpopular there. Rita Miljo looks after In a bid to protect Panama’s frogs from baboons whose parents have been the fungus, Panamanian biologist Ed- killed. At her center on the edge of the gardo Griffith captures healthy animals Kruger National Park, the animals live in for breeding at a quarantine facility. groups and are prepared for their rein- troduction to the wild – far from houses, roads and people.

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DOCUMENTARY 30 MIN.

VERSIONS 21 Bats to the Rescue 25 The Schaalsee Negotiator Arabic, English, Spanish The government of Costa Rica wants to The Schaalsee in northern Germany is a restore areas of cut down to UNESCO biosphere reserve. Although it RIGHTS make way for agriculture. They will be is a nature-conservation area, farming Not available worldwide. supported in their efforts, and use continue in the area. In Please contact your regional at no cost, by bats, who will be used to a bid to ensure all interests are repre- distribution partner. spread seeds. Bat colonies are being es- sented, Thomas Neumann mediates tablished by biologist Detlev Kelm with among environmentalists, farmers and ORDER NUMBER the help of local farmers. hunters. 26 4723 | 01–27 22 Saving the Snow Leopard 26 Battling the Illegal Bird Hunt Snow leopards live in mountainous Most types of songbird and birds of regions of Central Asia. They are hunted prey are protected in many European by poachers for their fur and killed by countries. But on their annual migra- shepherds who drive their flocks to tion between Europe and warmer climes higher altitudes and encroach upon the in Africa, many birds are being illegally leopards’ habitat. In Kyrgyzstan, biolo- shot on the Mediterranean island of gist Thorsten Harder is leading a project Malta. Bird protection groups from all to protect snow leopards – in coopera- over Europe are trying to put a stop to tion with an anti-poaching squad who the practice. are risking their lives on behalf of the endangered animals. 27 Keeping the Balance The Etosha National Park in Namibia is 23 The Environment as Public Asset one of the oldest in the world. It’s the Chinese environmentalists Liu Jianq- workplace of veterinarian Mark Jago iang and Wu Lihong are employing a and rangers Johnson Veyorerako and new and increasingly effective method Ole Friede. Together, they are respon- in their campaign: publicity. They coura- sible for trying to maintain the delicate geously challenge shocking violations of balance of flora and fauna within this environmental-protection law passed by environment. They also seek to harmon- the Chinese central government. Their ise the interests of nature conservation opponents are powerful functionaries with those of the people living in the and local businesspeople. area.

24 Beautiful, Rare – Soon to be Extinct? The Banggai cardinalfish lives in a very small area off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. It is a popular ornamental fish, and up to a third of the wild population is captured every year. Conservation- ist Yani Mile wants to stop the Banggai cardinalfish from becoming the first species to die out because of its popular- ity in the aquarium trade.

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