GEO Reports

The platypus is a very strange species in a country with many unusual animals. Equipped with their characteristic beaks and thick fur, they are a fascinating hybrid which lay eggs like birds or reptiles, and yet nurse their young like mammals. In the last few hundred years they have become increasingly endangered but new protection and resettlement schemes are ensuring a comeback.

At the far western tip of France, a champion kitesurfer has a mad idea: Brave the perilous currents and winds of the Iroise Sea to reach a legendary lighthouse.

The cultivation of cannabis has a long tradition in northern Morocco - around 300,000 families have long made a living from growing the plant, from which marijuana and hashish are extracted. As its therapeutic properties have been proven, some countries, including Morocco, have legalised medical cannabis use. However, legalisation does not guarantee a promising future for small farmers.

For centuries, Icelanders have tirelessly fished for cod. But for some years now, another marine creature is now sought after by Icelandic fishermen: The sea cucumber, highy prized in the Asian market.

"Kukeri" is the name of the pagan ritual celebrated by Bulgarians in winter. It is said to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. The tradition has survived centuries of foreign rule and remains deeply rooted in the Bulgarian soul. More and more women are also being drawn to this ritual, which was originally reserved for men.

Canada, a country as large as the whole European continent, has large swathes of land in the arctic which are barely populated. A vital link to isolated communities is the helicopter with more than 3,000 helicopter pilots in the country. Only five percent of them are women. Who are these trailblazers who brave the cold and dangerous conditions in their jobs?