Catfish - Monsters in the Lake? (3/3)

Catfish - Monsters in the Lake? (3/3)

In 1761, a giant monster is pulled from the Oder River: an 820-pound Wels Catfish, the largest sweet-water fish in Europe. Not just any old fish: Until this day, the Wels Catfish remains a curse, a legend, a myth - as well as a tasty dish and prized catch.In 1979, two river policemen observed a Wels Catfish that was almost as long as their 5 m long vessel. But how much of the stories are fact and how much fancy? We spoke to two men who have devoted their lives to studying the catfish, Europe's leading expert, Oliver Portrat, and prizewinning underwater cameraman Sigi Braun. To get to the bottom of this mystery, they take us with on a trip from Bavaria to the farthest reaches of Eurasia. The largest animals of its species are found in the pristine Ili Delta in Kazakhstan. But it is also a study in people, the inhabitants of the Wels lakes, the habitants of this giant. Wherever the giants appear, myths, legends and tall tales arise, spinning a web of story and mystery.

A monster dwells in the lakes and rivers of Europe and Asia - the Wels Catfish, which can weigh several hundred pounds and swallow other fish whole. On the trail of a legend, from Europe to farthest reaches of Kazakhstan.

52-minute version in production