GUARDIANS OF WILDLIFE

FROM ZOO TO FREEDOM

Galloping Przewalski horses, bizarre northern bald ibises and rare European minks are the stars of a new wildlife film. In this fascinating documentary, filmmaker Herbert Ostwald sets off with Theo Pagel, the director of Cologne zoo,  on the trail of animal species that have died out in nature and survive only in zoos. With the help of zoos, these animals are now being released into the wild once again. The two visit unique nature conservation projects in Europe to assess the successes and challenges of these reintroductions.

TEAM
Writer and director: Herbert Ostwald // Camera: Erik Sick // Film editor: Isabelle Albert //Additional footage: Marcel Lepel, Bastian Barenbrock // Sound: Marcel Lepel, Ralf Gromann // Music: Stefan Döring, Sebastian Hassler // Soundmix: Alexander Weuffen // Narrator: Philipp Schepmann // Colour correction: Dany Schelby // Production assistant: Laura Bleifuß // Production manager: Katja Sträter // Producers: Thomas Weidenbach and Sarah Zierul // Commissioning editor: Klaus Kunde-Neimöth (WDR) // Produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion for WDR, in association with Arte