Live & Upcoming Programmes

Asia

The jungle in northern Vietnam is nearly impenetrable, with some areas never touched by humans. The remote rainforests of Pu Mat National Park serve as a refuge for endangered wildlife such as black bears, monkeys, and pangolins. Tuan, a biologist and bear specialist, embarks on an expedition to these untouched regions of the park in search of bears. The most hunted animal here is the pangolin, sought after for its scales believed to have medicinal properties and its meat considered a delicacy. A small Vietnamese conservation organization fights for the survival of this species.

2026-02-01 13:16:09 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 14:06:15 +0000 UTC(50m)

Asia

In Sabah, northern Borneo, flows the 560km-long Kinabatangan River. Nowhere else in Sabah are wild animals as easily spotted as along this river: orangutans, elephants, crocodiles, and proboscis monkeys. However, biodiversity is threatened as more rainforest gives way to palm oil plantations. Wildlife ventures into inhabited areas in search of food, leading to conflicts. Locals are fighting to preserve the rainforest and its unique wildlife, demonstrating that conservation and prosperity can coexist even in a modern society.

2026-02-01 12:26:04 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 13:16:09 +0000 UTC(50m)

Asia

In the far west of India, unexpected predators roam: lions. Living freely in a human-inhabited area without fences, they occasionally prey on the livestock of the indigenous Maldhari people, who nevertheless take pride in sharing their region with these lions—a unique coexistence of humans and predators. In northern Gujarat, desert landscapes dominate, where semi-nomadic communities breed a unique camel breed capable of swimming: Karai camels swim up to 3km daily to mangrove islands for grazing.

2026-02-01 11:35:58 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 12:26:04 +0000 UTC(50m)

Dreams of the Settlers

The Great Lakes are among the most mythical landscapes of North America: endless water, endless forest. Many Native American peoples lived there later European settlers followed on the heels of the white hunters and trappers. They hunted in the forests and transported their furs and other goods across the water to the south where a small river situated at the southern tip of Lake Michigan flows onward towards the southern states. The settlement that sprung up there was called Checagou by the Indians. Much later, the settlement was to be the first skyscraper city in the world: Chicago, the megacity on the Great Lake.

2026-02-01 10:43:13 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 11:35:58 +0000 UTC(52m)

Dreams of the Settlers

The vast Delta of the Mississippi River is the gateway to the South of the United States. It always has been. This is where our journey begins: through Louisiana along the banks of the mighty river, to the big inland city of New Orleans, founded long ago by the French. Further inland, sugarcane plantations and the villas of their former owners stretch as far as the eye can see. To the north, we leave the river and, taking spectacular roads, we pass through the swamplands of the Mississippi, which were once impenetrable, serving as the ideal hideout for many a runaway. Bordering Texas, where the swamplands end, is the beginning of the vast cattle country. This is home to the last remaining cowboys in the United States who, still today, maintain their French cultural heritage.

2026-02-01 09:51:06 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 10:43:13 +0000 UTC(52m)

Asia

The Great Gobi National Park in southwestern Mongolia shelters one of the last populations of wild Bactrian camels, amid its ancient and mysterious desert landscape. With around 800 critically endangered animals, the Gobi remains one of the world's most sparsely inhabited and inhospitable regions, yet its allure is undeniable, offering a captivating backdrop for encounters with wild camels and stories of people deeply connected to nature.

2026-02-01 03:03:23 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 03:53:28 +0000 UTC(50m)

Asia

The jungle in northern Vietnam is nearly impenetrable, with some areas never touched by humans. The remote rainforests of Pu Mat National Park serve as a refuge for endangered wildlife such as black bears, monkeys, and pangolins. Tuan, a biologist and bear specialist, embarks on an expedition to these untouched regions of the park in search of bears. The most hunted animal here is the pangolin, sought after for its scales believed to have medicinal properties and its meat considered a delicacy. A small Vietnamese conservation organization fights for the survival of this species.

2026-02-01 02:13:18 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 03:03:23 +0000 UTC(50m)

Asia

In Sabah, northern Borneo, flows the 560km-long Kinabatangan River. Nowhere else in Sabah are wild animals as easily spotted as along this river: orangutans, elephants, crocodiles, and proboscis monkeys. However, biodiversity is threatened as more rainforest gives way to palm oil plantations. Wildlife ventures into inhabited areas in search of food, leading to conflicts. Locals are fighting to preserve the rainforest and its unique wildlife, demonstrating that conservation and prosperity can coexist even in a modern society.

2026-02-01 01:23:12 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 02:13:18 +0000 UTC(50m)

Asia

In the far west of India, unexpected predators roam: lions. Living freely in a human-inhabited area without fences, they occasionally prey on the livestock of the indigenous Maldhari people, who nevertheless take pride in sharing their region with these lions—a unique coexistence of humans and predators. In northern Gujarat, desert landscapes dominate, where semi-nomadic communities breed a unique camel breed capable of swimming: Karai camels swim up to 3km daily to mangrove islands for grazing.

2026-02-01 00:33:07 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 01:23:12 +0000 UTC(50m)

Portugal's Nature Parks

The Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal. An area of almost 700 square kilometers, located in the extreme north of Portugal. Barren and rocky ridges in the plateaus, contrast with large forests and lush ground vegetation in deep valleys, crossed by lakes and rivers. The park is known for its oak forests, which are predominantly pedunculate and Pyrenean oaks. Among the typical animals of the park are the small Garrano ponies, a very old breed of horse and the only one in Europe that still lives in the wild.

2026-01-31 23:32:21 +0000 UTC→2026-02-01 00:33:07 +0000 UTC(1h)

Poppy's Promise

The cornfield - just an area for producing food… or a land full of secrets? This doc portrays a little recognized habitat right next door. The spectacular visuals filmed with state of the art equipment introduce the surprisingly large diversity of field inhabitants. We follow a hamster family through a season full of adventures and are drawn into an unknown world – a world of which we thought we knew everything about. In the western industrial nations cornfields and woods take up the greatest proportion of rural land. But how much natural life dwells in a cornfield? Why are some cornfield inhabitants harmful and others useful and what do the colourful flowers at the edge of the field promise us? We follow a hamster family through a season full of adventures and are drawn into an unknown world – a world of which we thought we knew everything about.

2026-01-31 22:41:28 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 23:32:21 +0000 UTC(50m)

Germany's Mystic Forest

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 heathlands and moors, are home to a diverse fauna. Martens, badgers, wild boars, hares, roe deer, and red deer, even black grouse and hazel deer find shelter in these parts. Wolves 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.

2026-01-31 21:40:57 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 22:41:28 +0000 UTC(1h)

Germany's Wild Reservoirs

One of the smallest dams in the Bergisches Land is the Panzertalsperre, with an area of just four-and-a-half football pitches. On the other hand, the Dhünntalsperre is the largest with the area of 660 football pitches. They all transform a stretch of flowing water into still and stagnant water. As a result, completely diverse ecosystems have developed there: where the dipper once dived for insect larvae, cormorants and gray herons now fish and swans and coots cavort. In recent summers, even greater challenges have emerged: the effects of climate change - from extreme drought to destructive floods. On a smaller scale, a rather industrious dam master is operating flood protection: The Beaver. However, the water masses of the Wupper tore away half of his majestic timber castle - and the four young beaver kids were not seen again afterwards. Have they survived the flood? Not everyone can cope with the constant change in the dams, but they still remain an important wonder of engineering for many: for us humans as well as for a number of animals. By combining water management, ecological requirements and tourism a worthwhile goal is possible: Because for the Bergisches Land, its dams are among the most valuable and popular infrastructures that the region has to offer.

2026-01-31 20:47:07 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 21:40:57 +0000 UTC(53m)

Over the Islands of Africa

Renaud Van Der Meeren is a photographer and paramotor pilot. With his motorised parachute he goes on expeditions to the remotest corners on earth to photograph people and landscapes from the air. Renaud wanted to be a jet pilot, studied music at the Sorbonne, became a ski instructor, model and photographer's assistant before he found happiness in his current vocation. He especially likes to do his job in Mauritius – nowhere else does he find so many motifs as on the "sweetest pearl in the Indian Ocean". This time he's working on a photo book about Mauritius – by land, by water and in the air.

2026-01-31 14:40:08 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 15:41:17 +0000 UTC(1h1m)

Over the Islands of Africa

Photographer Matthias Ziegler is an Africa specialist. He has visited nearly every country on the continent on assignments for international agencies. Zanzibar, however, is new territory for him. He's come to the former slave island for a photo book – and this time he's not alone. To see the Tanzanian archipelago from the air, he has enlisted the services of ultralight pilot Richard Meredith-Hardy of England to fly him around in his FIB, or flying inflatable boat. Perfect conditions for an adventurous journey: as a world champion ultralight pilot, Richard and his FIB can take off and land practically anywhere – in theory.

2026-01-31 13:39:12 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 14:40:08 +0000 UTC(1h)

Portugal's Nature Parks

The "Parque Natural da Ria Formosa" is one of the largest lagoon conservation areas in Europe. Bordered by five natural islands. A mosaic of sandbanks, brackish and freshwater lagoons and salt marshes. In 2010, the "Ria Formosa" was chosen as one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. It is a unique ecosystem: in the winter months, more than 20,000 birds gather here. In addition, the nature park has one of the largest seahorse populations internationally. More than half of all fish species in the Atlantic are said to spawn in the lagoon.

2026-01-31 12:38:26 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 13:39:12 +0000 UTC(1h)

Portugal's Nature Parks

Madeira - Portugal's autonomous island in the Atlantic Ocean, is closer to the African coast than to the mother country Portugal, from which it is separated by about 900 kilometers. The island's name comes from Portuguese sailors who claimed the uninhabited isle for themselves in 1419. Madeira means wood and that was available in abundance. Almost the entire surface was covered by dense forest. Since 1982, two-thirds of the landscape has been protected.

2026-01-31 11:37:50 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 12:38:26 +0000 UTC(1h)

Portugal's Nature Parks

In the southwest of Portugal lies the little known Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. It encompasses a narrow coastal strip that runs along the coast to the south of Portugal. Sparsely populated, this coastal region, which was placed under protection in 1988, is considered one of the last intact ecosystems in Europe. The steep cliffs, the almost constant wind and high waves have ensured that mass tourism has not gained a foothold here. There are still near-natural forests and a diverse bird life.

2026-01-31 10:37:09 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 11:37:50 +0000 UTC(1h)

Portugal's Nature Parks

The highest mountain range in Portugal is the Serra da Estrela. The episode embarks on a voyage of discovery to adventurous rock formations and villages steeped in tradition. The nature park is the largest protected area on the Iberian peninsula. In the mountain range we accompany the young scientist Ana Matos, who wants to breathe new life into old traditions, and cheese maker Maria Natália Lopes. She watches over more than 350 sheeps.

2026-01-31 09:36:27 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 10:37:09 +0000 UTC(1h)

Portugal's Nature Parks

The Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal. An area of almost 700 square kilometers, located in the extreme north of Portugal. Barren and rocky ridges in the plateaus, contrast with large forests and lush ground vegetation in deep valleys, crossed by lakes and rivers. The park is known for its oak forests, which are predominantly pedunculate and Pyrenean oaks. Among the typical animals of the park are the small Garrano ponies, a very old breed of horse and the only one in Europe that still lives in the wild.

2026-01-31 08:35:41 +0000 UTC→2026-01-31 09:36:27 +0000 UTC(1h)