ORF-E
English
2 x 45 min; 2 x 52 min
Worldwide 

From the storm-tossed peaks of the Großglockner in the largest and oldest National Park Hohe Tauern in the West, to the Danube-Auen National Park – one of the largest widely intact floodplain landscapes in Central Europe in the East. In between, the impressive rock formations of the Gesäuse National Park, right next to the deep forests of the Kalkalpen National Park. From the sunburnt salt lakes of the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park, to the smallest national park in the picturesque Thayatal, both of which find their continuation on the other side of the state border. These national parks aim at preserving Austria’s natural heritage. The central theme of this mini-series is built around success stories from the animal kingdom: for example, the resettlement of the ibex and the bearded vulture, the unexpected return of the wildcat and the crane, but also projects that are still a bit struggling, such as the release of lynxes in the Kalkalpen National Park. The film reports on major transformations, such as the reconnection of springs to the Danube, or small but important observations such as the flight of vegetation towards the mountain tops due to the rising temperatures. In rich and vivid images, this two-part UNIVERSUM documentary sheds light on the achievements of recent decades, but also on the challenges that national parks face today besides preserving the untouched nature.