TALES FROM THE WETLAND

Wetlands are incredibly important ecosystems offering a continuous source of water, food and shelter to the living creatures inhabiting them.They are consequently the natural habitat of thousands of fascinating plants and animal species: from the newly reintroduced Sarus Crane birds, the biggest flying bird in the world, on the lakesides to the Orange Crabs of the mangroves. All of them have physiologically evolved to adapt to this environment and developed surprising behaviours to share this territory in a perfectly balanced way. This stunning series is a fabulous discovery of the Wetlands’ ecosystems, a water-saturated environment, paradise for thousands of living creatures.


Episode 1: The CHARMING Wetland
The watersaturated area is preparing for the arrival of native birds and migratory species from across the globe. In the wetlands, every change of season brings spectacular scenes of interactions between all the species present there.

EPISODE 2: HUNTING IN FLOWING WATERS
In the middle of summer, wetlands are a delight for indigenous and migratory birds: they represent a full supply of fish species they can feed on. Many different species, such as grebes, whistling ducks, cotton pygmy geese and several species of diving birds, come hunting in the area.

EPISODE 3: KINGDOM OF AQUATIC TRAVELLERS
A huge and scenic freshwater swamp in central Thailand, Beung Boraphet is home to various spectacular species of water travelling birds. Join us to unravel the secret behind these particular species, such as the glossy ibis, the pond heron and the little egret, and learn how they fare and feed in this wetland.

EPISODE 4: INSTINCT OF DEFENSE
In their natural habitat, indigenous birds find safety and enjoy its fertility. But when seasons change and food supplies diminish, they are forced to make use of their best survival skills.

EPISODE 5: THE HEART OF A LAKE
The scenic Thale Noi lake is a fertile ecosystem that has nurtured the lives of local people for a long time. How did this lake participated in the creation of such a huge ecosystem? We’ll trace the origin of this lake, and the local creatures’ efforts for survival.

EPISODE 6: WHERE WATERS MEET
Where land and sea meet is a unique ecosystem: the mangrove forest. Subject to the tides’ flow, it serves as a buffer that protects the coastal area and shelters several marine species, from the smallest to the biggest.

EPISODE 7: FERTILITY OF THE LAND AND THE SEA
Land and water interactions create miracles of life. How amazing it is to visit a mangrove forest and observe sharks offspring near the edge of the land, before they leave for their real home in the ocean!

EPISODE 8: AN AMAZING PEAT SWAMP FOREST
The dense rainforest along the Tenasserim mountain range has a unique characteristic: the underground water that wells up through soil sediments makes this fertile forest a perfect tree-enshrouded home for the Thaiphusa sirikit crab, one of the most colourful freshwater crustaceans.

EPISODE 9: REVIVING THE SARUS (SIAMESE) CRANE 1
The Sarus Crane bird is the world’s biggest flying bird. Almost extinct in Thailand, this legendary wading bird has disappeared from the country’s natural habitats for a long time. Local scientists have made unwavering efforts for more than 2 decades, to reintroduce sarus cranes into their motherland.

EPISODE 10: REVIVING THE SARUS CRANE 2
Before being reintroduced to nature, Sarus Crane birds have to pass a number of tests, from hatching, growing up in training cages, to learning how to survive in the wild.

EPISODE 11: REVIVING THE SARUS CRANE 3
Watch these Sarus Cranes back in their new world, adapting to a vast natural environment. The passing of the first seasons will be a true survival test for these graceful birds, and natural selection will determine who will preserve the bloodline.

EPISODE 12: REVIVING THE SARUS CRANE 4
The young Sarus Cranes that were released in the nature about a year ago have flocked together and learned to survive. The vast sky that stretches to the horizon is waiting for them to explore, as far as they can fly. In this swamp, their neighbours will quickly turn out to be friends or foes.
The first eggs they will lay in the wetland are a precious gift for their motherland — the first steps towards the revival of this almost-extinct species in its natural habitat.