Wild Iran
Wildlife photographer Benny Rebel returns to his native Iran to document its little-known wildlife - an Iran that has been rarely been known before.
To the South
At the first part of his journey, the photographer is lucky to get some shots of rare animal species. Between the gaps of the rocky mountains he traces funny creatures: Pica. They look like a mixture between hamsters and rabbits. From his hideout Benny Rebel manages to observe impressive Ibexes, a kind of wild goats with huge horns. Equipped with a special microcopter and night shot camera traps he tries to get a sneak into the life of shy inhabitants of the steppe. In his adventure he encounters lonesome dromedary herds and discovers a spooky cave of hyenas. Rebel witnesses owls, snakes and lizards living between the antique ruins of the old Persian capital Persepolis. Benny Rebel also is interested in the relationship between men and nature. He meets not only ranger in the wild, but also visitors of the magnificent Persian gardens in the middle of rough deserts. Between the fountains of freshly sputtering water pelicans take a bath. Young and old people walk in the green paradises in front of attractive mosques. Unexpected the 43 year old photographer meets animal lovers on the roof tops of urban houses. The bet on the flying skills of their specific breed of pigeons. And like a house from a fairy tale seem the historical pigeon towers with their unique architecture housing more than ten thousands of birds. Finally Benny Rebel traces an Asiatic cheetah in the semi desert. Less than a hundred of the big cats are left in the wild. The nature conservationist and photographer decides to come closer to the dangerous carnivore.
To the North
Benny Rebel approaches a big cat in the semi desert with caution. An Asiatic cheetah is like an icon of Iranian nature. The carnivore accepts Benny in its closer environment. The photographer takes breath taking shots. Rewarded in this way Rebel continues his challenging expedition in a high mood. Deep in the desert he manages to come close to the last Wild Ass, so called Onager. The horse like animals are very shy and rare. From his hideouts Benny observes chinkaras, antelopes and impressive horned wild sheep in the mountains. Passing the snow topped Mount Damavand he reaches the green north part of Iran. In the oldest national park Golestan not only massive Marals and wild boars roam. Here also Persian leopards and brown bears crossing their ways. Near the mystical forest of Persia the journey ends at the biggest inland lake of the world: the Caspian Sea. There Benny stalks on the pink flamingoes which gather there for feeding. The number and variety of species and landscapes of Iran is overwhelming but also endangered. On his photo and film expedition Benny Rebel documents the natural resources of Iran - also, to convince the government of his home country to protect their unique treasures of nature and culture.
