Welcome to the Neighbourhood
Cities are like living organisms. When balanced, they keep their inhabitants—humans, animals, and plants—happy. Out of balance, they suffer, impacting all who live there.
Today's challenges put cities under a lot of pressure. What are the consequences of rapid urbanisation for biodiversity, cities' ecosystems, and people's health? And how can we keep cities healthy? The prevailing opinion is that cities belong to the people and that "nature" is the place for animals. However, animals have adjusted to city life over time. Blackbirds sing louder and earlier in the morning to brave rush hour; urban foxes have grown shorter snouts for they no longer use them to catch mice but tear open plastic packaging. White-footed mice in New York can now digest fast food instead of whole grains. Hedgehogs or sand lizards have disappeared from the agricultural landscape, and have found their home in the diverse mosaic of private gardens.
Intriguing behavioural animal stories, sublime city shots, and the exciting projects of proficient scientists will reveal amazing connections in an entertaining way and give us a new look at life in our cities.
Episodes
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Metropolitan Wildlife
The city is like a living organism. Healthy and in perfect balance, it can make its inhabitants happy, people as well as animals and plants. If it gets out of balance, it becomes ill and with it all the creatures that live in it. It is a valuable habitat for animals such as hedgehogs, rhinoceros beetles and swallowtails. But cities are under pressure. Growing population numbers are leading to the loss of green spaces and increased soil sealing. This is threatening the health of cities. How can we keep them healthy or even make them healthier?
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Urban Refuges
The city is a place for people and animals. It is like a living organism in which everyone depends on each other. Without animals and plants, people would also be worse off. Without a natural cycle, there is less oxygen, warmer temperatures and a higher risk of flooding. According to numerous studies, health is also threatened. It is therefore worth leaving a piece of valuable habitat to animals such as hedgehogs, rhinoceros beetles or swallowtails, because they will pay us back in many ways.
Facts
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Original TitleWelcome to the Neighbourhood
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Other TitlesWillkommen in der Nachbarschaft – Wilde Tiere in der Stadt, Welcome to the Neighbourhood – Wildlife in the City
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Year2024
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Length2 × 52', 90' (ENG, GER)
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ResolutionHD, 4K
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Film byHeiko De Groot
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Produced by
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Partners