A documentary on Maltese wildlife was recently launched at St James Cavalier, Valletta.

Entitled Man Marries Nature, the documentary has been three years in the making and features high-definition footage of all forms of Maltese biodiversity, including a number of rarely seen animal species , such as the chameleon, the leopard snake, the ocellated skink, the hedgehog, the wild rabbit and rare birds of prey.

To film these species the filmmakers had to trek across every nook and cranny of the islands at different times of the day and night.

The project is the brainchild of marine biologist Alan Deidun, who was also the documentary’s associate producer. Dr Deidun said the result was a stunning and unprecedented window into Malta’s natural environment.

“The documentary seeks to address the fact that just 18 per cent of Maltese know what the term ‘biodiversity’ stands for despite the fact that 2010 was the UN International Year for Biodiversity,” he said.

A copy of Man Marries Nature will be distributed free of charge to all schools with the aim of instilling in youngsters a greater awareness of their environment and debunking the myth that Malta’s biodiversity lacks variety.

The documentary producers also hope to arrange a series of viewings in cinemas for the public.

Man Marries Nature was made by Maltese film production company 360 Pictures, and partly funded by the Maltese National Commission for Unesco.

It was directed by Ryan Gatt, produced by Jana Kovacova, co-produced by Daniel Thornton, and the screenwriters were Paul de Leonardo and Ryan Gatt.

For more details about the project visit www.facebook.com/pages/Man-Marries-Nature/277216078966234.