WCS Film Collection

Experimental nighttime footage shot inside to illustrate the exhibit's architecture and a close-up of snakes and lizards in just two tones: black and red.

Early high-speed motion picture study of a hummingbird. "One Second in the Life of a Hummingbird. As seen by the high-speed motion picture camera of the New York Zoological Society. By Henry M. Lester"--Film credits.

Film describing the Wildlife Conservation Society's development of the Paseo Pantera biotic corridors protected areas program in Central America. Features Chuck Carr (Archie Carr III), Bruce and Carolyn Miller, and Janet Gibson. George Page provided the narration.

Edited black-and-white film of NYZS employees playing baseball, on different baseball fields. There are insert shots of Yankee Stadium, and then various close-up shots of NYZS employees on the field. Employees include Fairfield Osborn, William Beebe, Herbert Knobloch, John Tee-Van, Lee Crandall. "Play ball!"--Film credits. Followed by color footage of Bronx Zoo tractor train, Children's Zoo, and riding animals.

Film featuring George Schaller's Serengeti-based research on predator-prey relationships. Includes footage of predators including lions and hyenas feeding on carcasses of zebra and bovids; African wild dogs and pups; zebras being hunted by African wild dogs; cheetahs and cubs; cheetahs and leopards hunting and eating gazelles; lion hunting gazelles; storks and other birds; lion cubs playing and other lion social behaviors."This film has been made possible through the courtesy of Mr. Alan Root and the National Geographic Society"--Opening titles.

Shows the growth and care of three tigers, born in the Bronx Zoo and raised from infancy by Helen Martini, including in her Bronx apartment.

"Some of the world's rarest animals in the Bronx Zoo"--Film credits. Features variety of rare animals in the Bronx Zoo; includes footage of platypus and Bronx Zoo's platypusary.

Travelogue and wildlife survey of northwest Burma. Some shots of elephants, landscapes, local people, and takin, including one takin who is roped and put on a plane in a crate. Film concludes with animal's arrival at the Bronx Zoo. "Takin Country in Northwest Burma. Photographed by Oliver M.B. Milton and Richard D. Estes, Burma Wildlife Survey, 1959"--Film credits.

Travelogue featuring New York Aquarium researchers and others studying rare blind fish. "In 1936 a new kind of blind cavefish was reported in Mexico. Little was known about it aside from the fact that it lived inside a warm water cave. We set out to learn what we could as the natural occurrence of an eyeless condition is always of considerable scientific interest. The party was made up as follows: Dr. C.M. Breder, Jr.; Mr. Ralph Friedman; Mr. William Bridges; Señor Coronado; Dr. E.B. Gresser; Mr. M.B. Bishop; Mr. S.C. Duton; Señor Ramon Aguilar"--Film credits.

Film featuring George's Schaller's wildlife survey of the Shey Gompa area in Dolpo District, Nepal. Along with George Schaller, Peter Matthiessen is featured in the film.

"The Flying White Whales. The story of two expeditions to Bristol Bay, Alaska with the cooperation of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Photography by Carleton Ray. Additional scenes in Canada and New York by Sam Dunton"--Film credits. "From August 5 to 27 [1961] Dr. Ray led an expedition to Bristol Bay where a male and two female Belugas were captured and subsequently transported to New York non-stop on a special plane. Accompanying this expedition were Seward Johnson, a member of the Zoological Society, and Robert Moore of the National Geographic Society. These collecting trips were carried out with the permission and aid of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the assistance we received from this state agency was essential to their success"--1961 NYZS Annual Report.

Film shot on location at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Park illustrating wildlife and research activities. Photography and Production: C.R. Carpenter, D.P. Duvall, J.R. Simon. Editing and sound recording: Motion picture studios the Pennsylvania State College"--Film credits.

"An NYZS film produced with support from the friends of the new New York Aquarium"--Film credits. Includes footage of New York Aquarium in Battery Park; describes plans to build new aquarium at Coney Island. Depicts artist Carl Burger working on renderings and footage of potential species to be featured.

First film in the NYZS The Living Reptile Series. NYZS educational film shot at the Bronx Zoo and on location in Florida, featuring Turtles, Crocodilians, Beak-Heads, Lizards and Snakes. "Produced in the NY Zoological Park. Under the direction of James A. Oliver Curator of Reptiles. Photographed by Sam Dunton. Directed by William Bridges. Permission to photograph many scenes in the Everglades National Park and Marine Studios at Marineland Florida is gratefully acknowledged"--Film credits.

Produced by Staff Photographer Sam Dunton and Curator of Reptiles, James A. Oliver, the film shows the locomotion of various snakes and features a puff adder being photographed from below and by x-ray. "This is the first x-ray motion picture ever made to show the anatomical movements involved [of snakes]". It was intended to be part of a series on reptiles that would include the NYZS film Introducing the Reptiles.