The Cape of Wild Animals

ARD/NDR, 2015, 30 x 48.30 min.

Landscapes brimming with exotic beauty, glowing red sunsets and wild animals – this is the backdrop to the 30-part ARD series “The Cape of Wild Animals”.

The docusoap focuses on committed wildlife conservationists, who are fighting for the lives of their charges, day after day, at various stations along the South African Garden Route. These include the majestic “big 5” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) as well as the endangered penguins living on the Indian Ocean, lemurs and primates in Monkeyland, meerkats and co. in the Tenikwa sanctuary, and the famous great white sharks off the coast at Mossel Bay.

Impressive footage shows how the rescuers sometimes risk their own lives, taking care of large and small animals, and – if necessary – finding new homes for them. The local conservationists are assisted by German experts: experienced zookeepers and vets who want to put their experience to use on the ground in game reserves, camps and sanctuaries; to contribute to wildlife protection in Africa; and to learn how to handle endangered species in the wild. At their sides, we get right up close to the wild animals living in Africa. We witness them in their native habitat, observe them hunting or browsing peacefully in herds. And we see how they interact with human beings – when they are orphaned or injured, and whenever they need help.