“The classic two-pronged conflict which affects the life of almost every animal using waterholes in Africa: quench your thirst and risk being eaten by a predator, or stay safely away from the waterhole and risk dying of thirst”

Namibia’s Etosha National Park, dominated by an enormous salt pan, is home to some of Africa’s most spectacular gatherings of wildlife.
With the dry season at its searing peak, thousands of animals congregate at the few waterholes that remain – predator and prey side by side, drawn together by the desperate need to drink.

For the residents lions, the waterholes provide a bountiful buffet, but for their nervous prey, every sip of water can mean the difference between life and death.

Filmed by award-winning cameraman Dr Rudolf Lammers, The Drinkers Dilemma provides stunning images of a wide range of characters, not just the big impressive lion, elephant and zebra but also the doves and jackals at their feet, all part of the same great circle of life.

Unusual low angle shots filmed from a remote camera transport the viewer to the midst of all the action. For the doves that arrive in enormous flocks, the jackal is the chief predator and lions are the bane for the larger zebra and antelope.

This is an intimate portrait of the spectacular diversity of life in the Namib Desert as it has never been seen before. We follow the action around the pool through the daily cycle, as each of the animals come and go.
It is a unique opportunity to observe the relationships between every animal and bird. They must all come to drink, but every predator knows it - herein lies the 'Drinker's Dilemma'.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardback reference book. Watch the close-up wildlife film and at the same time read the book to learn about habitats, diet, life cycle and more. The book is packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and a 'Test your knowledge' quiz.

English narration by John Hedges
Filmed and directed by Rudolf Lammers
Produced by Dr Rudolf Lammers Naturfilmproduktion (2000)
As seen on the National Geographic Channel.

 To watch a pre-view of this DVD please visit YouTube or watch it at the bottom of this page