WCS Film Collection

Film documenting Iain Douglas-Hamilton's African elephant survey, as part of Manyara Elephant Research Project. Includes footage of elephant being darted, fitted with a tracking collar, and revived, and researchers tracking collared elephant. When researchers dart collared elephant again, herd protects darted animal and attempts to chase off researchers. "Africa's Greats. Film by Iain Douglas-Hamilton. Produced by NYZS"--Film credits.

Close-up footage of animals getting dental work at the Bronx Zoo.

Film commissioned to celebrate NYZS's seventy-fifth anniversary in 1970. The majority of the footage is from the 1960s and 1970s, but the reel opens up with early footage and still photography. There is some brief footage of the NYZS Building at the 1939-1940 World's Fair, the Institute for Research in Animal Behavior facility at the Bronx Zoo, the counstruction of the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, the opening of the World of Darkness and interior shots of that exhibit, dolphins at the New York Aquarium, and some exterior shots of the World of Birds building.

Film depicting Carleton Ray's studies of the Weddel seal in Antarctica. In addition to footage of seals, includes shots of research facilities, researchers, and penguins. Includes footage of researchers collecting seals for study and subsequent study activities. Includes underwater (under the ice) footage of researchers scuba diving. "Antarctic Laboratory. A study of the submarine environment and ecology of the Weddell seal. Sponsored by the New York Zoological Society under a grant from the National Science Foundation. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the Commander, Antarctic Support Forces, U.S. Navy, and the Biological Laboratory at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Photographed in Antarctica by Lieut. David Lavallee, USN, Carleton Ray, New York Aquarium, Fleet Mobile Photogenic Group, USN"--Film credits.

Footage from Carleton Ray taken during his Antarctica studies. Reel 1A has footage of seals, and penguins, and research scientists, diving and with audio equipment. Includes underwater footage of seals and human diver.

Footage from Carleton Ray taken during his Antarctica studies. Reel 5 is shot underwater, below ice. Shows scuba diver swimming underwater, seal swimming underwater and emerging through hole in ice, jellyfish below ice.

Film showcasing antelopes at the Bronx Zoo and in their wild habitat in the plains of Africa. Opens at Bronx Zoo's Heads and Horns Museum, followed by footage from the Bronx Zoo's African Plains. Majority of film shows antelopes in central Africa.

Incomplete version of film highlighting the yearly exhibits at the New York Aquarium at Battery Park, including the Aquarium's display at the World's Fair. "Three special exhibits through the year"-- Film credits. Exhibits include manatees and penguins at the World's Fair. Film abruptly ends after penguin segment.

Film by Paul J. Rainey, believed to be taken during his 1910 Arctic expedition. Shots include a polar bear running on the ice from an approaching boat, close up shots of hunting boats sailing through ice floes, spearing walruses in the water, shots of musk oxen on a prairie with herding dogs, women skinning animals on the deck of a boat.

"Around the year in the zoo. Interesting animals and events in the New York Zoological Park. Photographed by Sam Dunton. Directed and Narrated by William Bridges Curator of Publications. Production Associate Herbert J. Knobloch Assistant Curator of Education"--Film credits. Year-in-review film for 1961. Footage includes Great Apes House, baby orangutans at Animal Hospital, keeper Steve Spencook wtih a crocodilian, iguanas and other reptiles, Bird House exhibits, Members Day activities; the Small Mammal House, including otter, sloth, and red light exhibits. Film is followed by various Bronx Zoo footage, including: "Education staff; Member's tour; Brad House picking grape leaves. Food truck at loading platform, Baird Court, late afternoon, keeper putting up Wisent sign, [Bob] Montana and walkie talkie, Talking Storybook sign, money tree sign, tractor being fueled, moving Pili - Pili, [Bob] Montana at Wisent Coral, Tiger Train at the terminal, sign at geese pond, fish bay (sea lion), New Ideas sign, Talking Story Book, girl and food machine, feeding elephants, getting animals ready for riding track (camel), Sea Lion Pool closing, Fountain Circle in the morning, empty Crotona, 6:57 clock, 10:00 clock, 7:30 clock, people resting, zoo police, umbrellas at cafeteria, garbage truck, [?] gate, Tiger Train at Fountain Circle, "five for feeding" sign, Tractor Train sign, Crotona field, Crane walk"--Original can label.

"The Rockefeller University presents Behavior and Ecology of Vervet Monkeys in the Masai Amboseli Game Reserve, Kenya by Thomas T. Struhsaker, New York Zoological Society and The Rockefeller University"--Film credits.

Edited compilation film shot in the Bronx Zoo; shots include entrance sign, and a variety of animals in their exhibits. "Photographed by Chas. E. Roehm"--Film credits.

Edited compilation film shot in the Bronx Zoo; shots include pandas, hippos, prairie dogs, kangaroos, ostriches, giant pandas, lions, and many other animals on exhibit, as well as elephants bathing in the Bronx River. Also includes Rocking Stone and related signage and shots of visitors. "Photographed by Chas. E. Roehm"--Film credits.

Film illustrating the process of planning for the Bronx Zoo's Congo Gorilla Forest Exhibit. The majority of the footage is of artists' renditions of exhibits and architectural plans. Among staff in the film are John Gwynne, Walter Deichmann, William Conway, Amy Vedder, Lee Ehmke, Annette Berkovits, Sue Chin, and Don Lisowy. Actress Linda Hunt provided the narration.

Unedited footage from 1970 of Bronx School District 10 elementary students at Bronx River waterfall, Bronx Zoo Children's Zoo, and rehearsing and performing Earth Day play. Additional footage of Eeyore's Birthday Party event. Footage shows events held on Bronx Zoo's Baird Court featuring large puppets possibly from the Bread and Puppet Theatre Company and community groups performing traditional European folk dances. Volunteer guides and children at day care center footage is from 1974.