Documentaries that highlight Romania's nature & wildlife

As Wild Carpathia's fourth part, Seasons of Change, has been made available for free viewing on YouTube, we take a look at some of the documentaries that bring the country's nature and wildlife to the spotlight while highlighting the need for preservation.

Wild Carpathia

Several of the best-known documentaries about Romania's cultural and natural heritage are the work of journalist and producer Charlie Ottley. Launched in 2011, Wild Carpathia has a wider scope as it focused on "the scenic beauty and rich culture of the Romanian Carpathian mountains." The first installment of the five-part series explored the country's history, from the Dacian ruins to its medieval communities, while showcasing mountain landscapes, forests and alpine meadows, and the wildlife that finds a home there. Prince Charles was also featured in the first documentary, as were environmentalists, artisans, and artists. The series aimed to "capture the fragile glory of Europe's last surviving wilderness and shows why it needs to be preserved for the benefit of future generations and the survival of our most endangered carnivores." More about the series here.

Wild Carpathia 4: Seasons of Change has recently been made available for free viewing on YouTube "to celebrate and share Romania's cultural and natural heritage," the producers announced. The fourth part follows the changing seasons to reveal “a landscape of unparalleled beauty, a world of vivid colors and timeless tradition.” It also features interviews with experts pointing to the devastation caused by illegal logging, and examines how and why the phenomenon needs to be stopped.

Ottley is also working on a documentary about the Danube Delta, set to premiere on December 1 on Digi24, the television station announced. The journalist and producer spent seven months in the Danube Delta, which he calls "a sort of Amazon of Europe."

Another production by Ottley, Flavours of Romania, a nine-episode documentary series promoting Romania's culture, cuisine, and natural heritage, is also available on Netflix Romania.

România Sălbatică/ Wild Romania

The recently released documentary by Dan Dinu and Cosmin Dumitrache is the result of more than ten years of work photographing and filming across the country. It showcases spectacular, less accessible regions and stories about the local biodiversity. The project enjoyed support from environment NGOs and administrations of nature parks and reserves and also covered a photo book that was launched this summer.