Ricerca avanzata

Carries us off into a former gravel pit, a natural paradise that hardly anyone knows even though it's right on our doorstep. Countless species of flora and fauna found a new home here, a world full of surprises and wildlife secrets.

It's a refuge for animal and plant species and the biggest moorland in North Rhine-Westphalia - but hardly anyone knows about it: the Senne. Situated between Bielefeld, Detmold and Paderborn, the Senne is home to rare insects and birds, endangered amphibians and lizards, and large herds of fallow deer. The reason this natural paradise remains largely unknown lies in its particular history: for 130 years large parts of the Senne have served as a military training ground. British troops use it for target practice and Leopard tanks of the German armed forces plough up the terrain. Far from being a detriment to nature, the military use of the Senne is an advantage. The training ground is cordoned off, so for most of the time the wildlife here is completely undisturbed by walkers or dogs. Here badgers, normally timid creatures, leave their underground burrows in broad daylight. Puddles form in the deep tracks left by Leopard 2 tanks - providing a habitat for endangered natterjack toads. The heavy-duty tracked vehicles keep sandy areas open, where very special insects pursue their prey. The film takes us into a fascinating world that's normally closed to civilians. It shows how military exercise grounds can be a vital refuge in our intensively used countryside - a natural paradise in the tracks of the Leopards.

Despite the efforts made in recent decades to protect wildlife, the loss of biodiversity in Europe remains alarming. What can be done to protect it? While some advocate "letting nature take its course", the work of numerous ecologists and researchers runs counter to preconceived ideas: according to them, the protection of endangered species often requires, on the contrary, human intervention - provided that it is reasoned and respectful of the environment. Leaving land uncultivated can be counterproductive - as in the case of the Chizé forest in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, where the cessation of tree-cutting has led to the flight of several snake species that previously thrived there.

Operating on a large scale, organized crime extends its influence into ecological activities, comparable to the illicit trade in weapons and drugs. The trafficking of rare natural resources has become an immensely lucrative enterprise. Black markets abound with special commodities prohibited by environmental legislation. The three-part German documentary series, Ecocrimes, delves into the international networks of poachers, pirates, smugglers, and criminal cartels. These networks deprive nature of its riches, posing a grave threat to the foundations of life on our planet.

Deer jump in front of cars, toads wander across the asphalt, and insects stick to windshields. Many animal species cross our roads in search of food and mates. Animals often die in the process, or their habitats are separated. What solutions are there to this problem? With the help of hidden video traps and patient observation, the film uncovers astonishing insights into the behavior of wild animals along roads.