Schedule for Pluto TV Animals

Outback Deserts

Outback Deserts

Wildest Places explores some of the most incredible natural habitats on earth & a diverse range of wildlife.

2026-07-18 10:35:07 +0000 UTC2026-07-18 11:39:07 +0000 UTC(1h4m)
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)