Rubicon Films
Presenter holding a masked owl

Animal Encounters

Three friends. The wild up close.

2013–TV Series4 seasons45 episodesDocumentary · Nature · TraveloguePost-production
6 wins, 1 nomination & 1 official selection
Crew

Storyline

Animal Encounters began in 2013 with three friends exploring the sanctuaries and reserves of South Africa, and returned in 2018 for a season in Costa Rica. Seasons 1 and 2 were produced by ARTV and Stimme der Hoffnung and are distributed by Rubicon Films; Rubicon joined as producer from Season 3, and Seasons 3 and 4 are co-productions with True South Media. The format stays the same: three adventurers with very different fears and hopes cross a new country, hot-air ballooning over the Atherton Tablelands, snorkelling a recovering reef, crossing a crocodile river, walking with koalas on Kangaroo Island, meeting rangers, rescuers and researchers and testing themselves along the way. Seasons 3 and 4 are produced with True South Media.

4 Seasons

45 episodes
Season 5
Season 5Country to be determined
202812 episodesIn development
We are currently taking expressions of interest for collaboration in country and locations for Season 5. Submit an EOI
Masked up to snorkel below the coastal cliffs
Season 4New Zealand
202710 episodesPost-production
The trio journeys through Aotearoa New Zealand's ecosystems, meeting the native species and the people fighting for them.
Season 3Australia
202614 episodesPending release
Three adventurers meet the people protecting Australia's wildest places, from the Daintree and Kakadu to Kangaroo Island, in a 14-part journey through the country's wildlife, landscapes and the conservationists fighting for them.
A two-toed sloth hangs on
Season 2Costa Rica
201810 episodesLibrary
Gabi and Cassila return, joined by Caro, for ten episodes in Costa Rica: an active volcano, toucans and poison frogs, a sanctuary of hundreds of rescued dogs, baby sloths, macaws, a canopy walk and the reefs beneath the Pacific.
Face to face with a Siberian tiger
Season 1South Africa
201311 episodesLibrary
Three adventurous friends ride elephants, pet cheetahs, play with monkeys, feed birds, get to know eels and learn to trust wolves across South Africa's sanctuaries and reserves.