Wildscreen 2012

“Wild Scandinavia” Nominee for: “Series Award”

Sweden – the country of skerries, forest and elks. The high plateaux of Sarek National Park are covered with snow for most time of the year. Specialists like the Great Grey Owl adapted to their frozen habitat – the predator can hear its prey beneath the snow. For elks, winter is a particularly difficult time, there’s not a green leaf to be found. During these months, they nearly lose fifth of their body weight. At the time when Whooper Swans return to Sweden, most lakes are still frozen – but the pairs already defend their territories: Intruders are viciously attacked. In springtime, even the courtship of the Black Grouse is in full swing. The males abide by strict rules when fighting – their target is the rival’s red wattle: a fascinating animal behaviour, for the first time unraveled with a HD highspeed camera.