Currently, our team is travelling halfway around the world for our latest ARTE -production "Anthropause"/ "Sudden Silence" (WT). The documentary accompanies a scientific mega-study that examines the worldwide effects of the lockdown during the Corona pandemic in 2020 on wildlife. A film by author Susanne Maria Krauß.

The Great Lockdown 2020

April 2020. A virus is forcing people around the globe to restrict their movements. It is estimated that in the spring of 2020, more than half of the world's population had to stay at home due to strict lockdown and quarantine measures. And suddenly, humans were significantly less omnipresent than usual. For wildlife and the environment, this was kind of a break from humanity - an anthropause (derived from ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος ánthrōpos, German 'human being'). "Finally, nature can recover," "Now nature is healing" - such statements subsequently appeared again and again in conversations and the social media. Seemingly substantiated by video clips showing animals on trails, in cities or harbors. Researchers worldwide have since recognized: The matter is more complex. But no less exciting! Because although the COVID19 pandemic has led to a tragic global crisis, it represents a unique opportunity to study the impact of our human actions on wildlife and the environment in general.

The Mega Study

An international team led by behavioral ecologist Prof. Christian Rutz from Hamburg is analyzing movement data from animals around the world for this purpose. Mini transmitters, video cameras and photo traps have recorded the hidden lives of wild animals - before, during and after the lockdown. A unique global experiment! How have animals changed their movement patterns or behavior? And can the pandemic be an opportunity to develop strategies for better human-wildlife coexistence? Rutz, who teaches at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, sees great opportunities in the study: "We can find out how humans can share the rather limited space on this planet with other animals. Sometimes it could be restructuring transportation networks, sometimes it could be closing beaches during breeding seasons. Even if humans can't always stay lockdown - and no one is asking us to - small changes in our everyday behaviors could benefit nature."

The film accompanies scientists who research the behaviour of various animal species during the "anthropause" and their reactions when, after the lockdown weeks, more people invaded nature in one fell swoop than before. The results show a complex picture of the need and opportunities for a better coexistence of humans and animals on our shared planet Earth. So far, our team has already been to France, the Czech Republic, Italy and Tanzania, with further footage coming from Canada and soon to be filmed in Scotland. Post-production will start in October and from spring 2023 the documentary about bears, red deer, rhinos & co. will be available on the internet. ARTE on TV and in the media library. We will of course publish further news and information via our News Section on Facebook or Instagram.