Schedule for Pluto TV Animals

Episode 2

Episode 2

In this episode of the documentary series Andreas Kieling encounters the last gorillas in the mountain rainforests of the border areas between the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda and sets off in search of the perhaps most aggressive descendant of the dinosaurs, the saltwater crocodile, in Australia. With the help of local guides Andreas Kieling attempts to track down lions in a small region of India and encounters the elepahnt, the most hated at the same time most respected creature in Africa. Near Cape Town in Struis Bay, the filmmaker meets a woman who feeds seven stingrays each morning and evening.

2026-07-12 10:41:11 +0000 UTC2026-07-12 11:40:11 +0000 UTC(59m)
To the South

To the South

At the first part of his journey, the photographer is lucky to get some shots of rare animal species. Between the gaps of the rocky mountains he traces funny creatures: Pica. They look like a mixture between hamsters and rabbits. From his hideout Benny Rebel manages to observe impressive Ibexes, a kind of wild goats with huge horns. Equipped with a special microcopter and night shot camera traps he tries to get a sneak into the life of shy inhabitants of the steppe. In his adventure he encounters lonesome dromedary herds and discovers a spooky cave of hyenas. Rebel witnesses owls, snakes and lizards living between the antique ruins of the old Persian capital Persepolis. Benny Rebel also is interested in the relationship between men and nature. He meets not only ranger in the wild, but also visitors of the magnificent Persian gardens in the middle of rough deserts. Between the fountains of freshly sputtering water pelicans take a bath. Young and old people walk in the green paradises in front of attractive mosques. Unexpected the 43 year old photographer meets animal lovers on the roof tops of urban houses. The bet on the flying skills of their specific breed of pigeons. And like a house from a fairy tale seem the historical pigeon towers with their unique architecture housing more than ten thousands of birds. Finally Benny Rebel traces an Asiatic cheetah in the semi desert. Less than a hundred of the big cats are left in the wild. The nature conservationist and photographer decides to come closer to the dangerous carnivore.

2026-07-19 23:22:35 +0000 UTC2026-07-20 00:21:35 +0000 UTC(59m)
From Sardinia to Abruzzo

From Sardinia to Abruzzo

For many people, Sardinia is THE Mediterranean dream island: clichés like crystal-clear water and picturesque coastlines are reality here. Wild horses inhabit the vast unpopulated plateaux of Gesturi. In the adjacent high regions lies the kingdom of the imposing Mouflon. The curved horns of the male come in handy when battling over the females during rutting season. A breathtaking underwater world is hidden beneath the crystal clear water surrounding the island. Colourful fish, corals and sea snails live down here - as well as the basking shark! He can grow up to ten metres long, but he's completely harmless: with his huge mouth he only fishes microorganisms from the water. Sicily, off the coast at the tip of Italy's ‘boot', is the largest island in the Mediterranean. The island's most famous landmark is already visible from far-off: Etna, at 3340 metres the highest active volcano in Europe. Only 40 kilometres away another volcano looms high: Stromboli, which lies in the middle of the sea. It spews lava and fire at virtually minute intervals. From ancient times on, humans have feared the volcanoes of south Italy. Even today, there are 2500 year-old temple grounds still standing on Sicily. These days nature is re-claiming the age-old buildings – Mason bees and lizards inhabit the cracks and crevices, while lush flower meadows surround the ancient pillars. Abruzzo, lying level with Rome, is the wild heart of southern Italy. The rugged, uninhabited mountain world with its unspoilt beech forests make Abruzzo something special: this is Italy from its unfamiliar side! The inaccessible slopes are the territory of the extremely rare Apennine chamois. During rutting, the bucks engage in breakneck chases among the rocks.

2026-07-19 22:24:35 +0000 UTC2026-07-19 23:22:35 +0000 UTC(58m)
Forests

Forests

Shrouded in myth and legend, the forests of Germany are world famous, thanks to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The strange creatures that actually live there are shown in the episode Forests of the four-part series Wild Germany. A lynx out hunting, red deer stags roar to call their harems together, wild boar forage in dead leaves looking for nuts. When one considers how densely populated it is, Germany is home to a surprising number of different species. Around one third of the country is covered in forest. Forests enters a world full of magic and shows the secretive inhabitants you won't see when out for a walk. Spring in the Black Forest brings out the cherry blossom. Not long now, and the fruit used to make the famous Black Forest Gâteau will appear. A doe has deposited its fawn in the high grass under the trees. Nearby, a vixen is on the look-out for food for her cubs. She would just about be able to handle the fawn ... Life in the forest is full of drama. Humans are rarely seen, the animal adventures take place behind a thick curtain of leaves. The wildcat and the lynx have managed to reconquer some regions from which they had long disappeared. For rare animals like black stork and stag beetle, the woods offer a last refuge. The best nature film-makers in Germany spent more than five years travelling the country from the Harz mountains to the Bavarian Forest, from Saxonian Switzerland to the Palatinate Forest, collecting material on the secret lives of forest dwellers.

2026-07-19 21:24:35 +0000 UTC2026-07-19 22:24:35 +0000 UTC(1h)
Between Finland and Sweden

Between Finland and Sweden

The Baltic Sea is the youngest ocean in the world and first evolved after the last Ice Age. We think we know everything about it, yet still it has many surprises in store. Wind and waves still shape the shores of the Baltic Sea to this day. The third episode takes us to the Bay of Bothnia. More than double the size of the Netherlands, it is the most unknown region of the Baltic Sea. In the winter, the Baltic Sea freezes over at a length of 300 kilometres. In this 1-metre-thick ice tank, the third species of seal - alongside the grey seal and common seal - copes well with the Baltic Sea. The ringed seal is perfectly adapted to the Arctic winter and carves out breathing holes into the ice. More than 10,000 of the animals still live between Sweden and Finland. The Bay of Bothnia only has a salt content of just 1%, which is why it freezes quicker than other regions of the Baltic Sea. Many rivers disembogue here and “sweeten” the sea. The Tornio is the longest natural river in Europe. It forms the border between Sweden and Finland. Even when frost is severe, the Kukkolaforsen rapids in Sweden never freeze over, otters go hunting here. When it gets dark in the winter, solar winds conjure colourful light effects in the Baltic Sea sky. The Aurora Borealis can be seen in the northern regions of the Baltic Sea as of mid-October. The coast of Lapland is also the home of the reindeer. The Sami's, reindeer breeders, bring their herds in winter to the Baltic Sea, as the snow is not as deep here as it is further inland and the animals have better access to lichens and mosses. When Lapland's coast is still frozen, 300 kilometres further south in the Kvarken Archipelago, a special spectacle takes place. Millions of fish head for the coast. Barrier beaches prevent them from reaching the coastal lagoons. They can only spawn where the water is salt-free.

2026-07-19 09:51:12 +0000 UTC2026-07-19 10:50:12 +0000 UTC(59m)
Episode 1

Episode 1

In this episode of the documentary series Andreas Kieling reports from the Amazon basin, Siberia, South Africa, the mountains of western China and the Eiffel region back home in Germany. Kieling ventures to western China almost as far as the border with Tibet in search of the great panda, the legendary bamboo bear. Set against a gigantic natural backdrop, the filmmaker is attempting to track down the extremely reclusive creature. But finding one of the approximately 3000 pandas who live in the vast mountainous landscape and capturing it on camera is like searching for a needle in a haystack. And then comes a stunning close encounter with the beautiful creatures at a very special place: the breeding station at Wulong. The precious bears live in huge natural enclosures here, breeding and providing specimens to be loaned to a number of zoos all over the world. These particular creatures are only able to serve as ambassadors for their few relatives who still live in the wild since they have become accustomed to captivity, they would not be able to survive by themselves in the rainforests.

2026-07-18 20:55:59 +0000 UTC2026-07-18 21:54:59 +0000 UTC(59m)