MISSION SEA OTTER – SAVING CALIFORNIA’S KELP FORESTS

Sea otters are true all-rounders. They survive in the cold Pacific off the coast of California. They are skilled underwater hunters and consume kilos of seafood every day. Yet they were almost wiped out because of their warm fur.

Fortunately, biologists at the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium are dedicated to protecting these animals. The most important members of the team are the female otters living at the aquarium, who step in as foster mothers for stranded otter pups.

And something few people realised: sea otters are ‘furry champions for the climate’ by preserving a fascinating habitat – the kelp forest.

A film by Claudia Schmitt and Hendrik S. Schmitt

TEAM:

Writer, Director and Camera: Claudia Schmitt, Hendrik S. Schmitt // Additional Camera: Brandon Garcia, Rose Dalrymple // Editing: Marc Schubert // Sound Editor: Matthis Hohmann // Music: Sebastian Haßler // Sound Design and Mixing: Alexander Weuffen // Colour Correction: Dany Schelby // Graphics: Anastasia Wagner // Production Assistant: Karl Hax, Aliçan Tamcan // Production Management: Katja Sträter // Producer: Frank Nischk // Executive Producers: Thomas Weidenbach, Sarah Zierul //For Arte G.E.I.E. Executive Producers : Christian Cools, Felicitas Schwarz, Katja Wagner, under the direction of Alexander von Harling (Arte) //For ORF Executive Producer: Birgit Skulski, under the direction of Gernot Lercher (ORF)

A production of Längengrad Filmproduktion in coproduction with Arte G.E.I.E and ORF in cooperation with ORF-Enterprise