Institut für den wissenschaftlichen Film (IWF)

Bonobos show a particularly pronounced sexual activity and an extraordinarily broad spectrum of sexual contacts for primates. These also extend to non-reproductive life phases and partner combinations. For example, homosexual contacts and sexual contacts between young animals or with adults are frequent, and females are ready to mate throughout the menstrual cycle. Bonobos use sexual contacts not only for reproductive purposes, but also in the context of social conflicts, where they have a clear tension-reducing or peacemaking function.

The film gives a survey on innate behaviour patterns of the grey-lag goose. The first part shows reproductive behaviour. In the second part some behaviour patterns of gosling being imprinted on their human foster parent are shown: following reaction, separation of two flocks according to their imprinting, response to the alarm call and landing "by order" of the flying young.

The three-spined stickleback is shown. Nest building, zigzag dance, fanning at the nest, sometimes following a female, also short mouth fights, the female swimming into the nest, spawning, the male poking at the rear end of the partner, inseminating the eggs in the nest after the female swims away.

The film shows the spatial distribution and the behaviour of the Mediterranean demoiselle Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis on typical reproduction waters. The great importance of suitable perches becomes obvious. These perches, e. g. single rush stems, are used by immature, hunting individuals as well as by reproductive males that are controlling territories from these sites. The latter chase all other individuals, the result being a spatial segregation between immature and reproductive specimens during the day. Typical behaviour, such as threatening, courting, copulation, and oviposition is shown in different film speeds.

The flight and feeding customs of the most important sea bird species of the Galapagos Islands are described. Some characteristic body and wing measurements are used to describe the flight of these species. The species which are able to forage furthest out at sea and deepest in the water are the most successfull on the Galapagos Islands, measured by their abundance. The least abundant bird is the lava-gull, a shore bird and surface-feeder.

Before shearing, done with electric devices and hand shears, lambs are separated from the flock. The lambs are not yet shorn but dipped in a disinfectant, parasiticidal liquid prescribed by law. For the auction, held in autumn, the sheep for sale are loaded on special trucks and transported from the pasture to the public sale.

Queen rearing is one of the most important areas of beekeeping. After explaining the breeding objectives, the three most common methods for rearing queen bees are described: Breeding in the queenless colony; breeding via the pre-brood box; breeding via starter and finisher. Special attention is also paid to the selection and presentation of the breeding material, selection and preparation of the care colony, controlled mating and the safe introduction of queens into the colonies.

Short film about the movement patterns of protozoa

The film shows open air shots of life in the colony of the sea lion. The following behaviours are shown: establishing territories and rivalry fights, courting and mating, feeding the young, play among young animals.

Various amphibious pond dwellers, including grass frogs, tree frogs, common toads and other amphibians are shown moving around, feeding, mating, fertilizing and evolving. Also on display are natterjack and midwife toads, yellow-bellied toads and water frogs.

Swimming movements of a common seal under water, propulsion through hind extremities.

The film shows the prey-catching behaviour of the edible frog at a small garden pond and at a gravelpit. The catching of creeping and (under experimental conditions) hanging earthworms, of flies sitting on the surface of the water and of egglaying dragonflies (Sympetrum spec.) in tandem position are visible.

Short film about the life cycle of a moon jellyfish

The film documents the tobacco season of 1993/94 from the planting of the tobacco through the harvest and sale until the sowing for the next season - using some small planters from the villages around Schwedt on the Oder and a large farm, the former Agricultural Co-operative in Vierraden in an exemplary manner. It describes the transformation in the technical and agricultural fields. Different planters and representatives of the Tobacco Grower's Association discuss the situation of tobacco planting in the GDR compared to current conditions and answer questions on their self-organisation and on the future of tobacco cultivation in the Uckermark.

The courtship behavior of Great Bustards is studied. The male Great Bustard is considerably larger than the female. This impression is reinforced during courtship when the male dances in front of the female, showing the light undersides of its wings and inflating its throat pouch.

The arousal behavior of the warthog is shown. Also explained is the muzzle fight between boars and females.

Documentary on how the osprey catches its prey. The film shows the search for prey, the launch maneuvers, take-off maneuvers and the fights with the fish.

For its reproduction, the megaloprepus dragonfly specifically relies on periodic puddles in tree holes and bromeliacea in tropical rain forests. Territorial males tenaciously defend these resources. Females lay their eggs in the water holes of the territorial males and are guarded by them. Any satellite male - i. e., one without a territory - who tries to grab a female is driven away by the territorial male.

Using gland regions on their heads, warthogs mark poles and other objects for self-orientation. Males often mark during the mating season. The male also sprays urine when searching for and inspecting sleeping cavities.

Every fifth year in Förste/Nienstedt people gather to the "Schüttenhoff" (shooters court). For five days at Easter processions of three "battalions" take place symbolizing the storming, defence and conquering of barricades erected by inhabitants or local associations. The three "battalions" are the riflemen (responsible for taking the barricade), the farmers (responsible for defending the barricades) and the pioneers (responsible for mopping up). Two of the five processions are shown, men on Whitsun Sunday and women on the following Tuesday.