Surviving storms and seasons at Lake Khanka
A softshell turtle hunting for fish in Lake Khanka.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
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Transcript
Lake Khanka in far eastern Russia - it’s one of the largest wetlands in Asia, over 4,000 square kilometers in size. It’s so large, that when the wind picks up, the shallow lake is transformed into a stormy sea. As the waves grow in size, they wash over the sand banks, flooding the land and forming new pools and lagoons.
When the storm is over, a softshell turtle emerges to investigate the changed landscape. The storm has trapped thousands of fish in a small lagoon. They are cut off from the main lake, dangerously exposed to predators. The shallow waters of the lagoon offer little protection and the fish circle nervously, trying to find a way out. They crowd together, seeking safety in numbers, but the softshell turtle has spotted his chance. The turtle has to make the most of the summer and stock up on fat reserves. Lake Khanka freezes over for seven months during the winter.
A large fish is desperate to escape the shallow lagoon. The spectacular leap onto land is its way of testing the distance to the main lake. The small lagoon will dry out quickly. The only hope for the stranded fish is if another storm creates a new link to open water.
When the storm is over, a softshell turtle emerges to investigate the changed landscape. The storm has trapped thousands of fish in a small lagoon. They are cut off from the main lake, dangerously exposed to predators. The shallow waters of the lagoon offer little protection and the fish circle nervously, trying to find a way out. They crowd together, seeking safety in numbers, but the softshell turtle has spotted his chance. The turtle has to make the most of the summer and stock up on fat reserves. Lake Khanka freezes over for seven months during the winter.
A large fish is desperate to escape the shallow lagoon. The spectacular leap onto land is its way of testing the distance to the main lake. The small lagoon will dry out quickly. The only hope for the stranded fish is if another storm creates a new link to open water.