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"Highly Recommended. An informative documentary,
including commentary from (a young) Dr. Richard Leakey, which adds
historical perspective to this study. The outstanding feature of this
program is that it asks questions and offers possible solutions."
-School Library Journal "Highly Recommended. This fascinating, high quality documentary examines African elephants in their natural habitat of Africa; mainly in Meru National Park in Kenya. The "giant lawnmowers" as they are referred to, eat any manner of vegetation they can lay their trunks on; so they are literally eating themselves out of house and home. Poachers are the other serious threat to the survival of the elephants, and the elephants seek the safe sanctuaries of the national parks to elude them. Keeping the elephants in national parks where they are the stars of the tourist industry eventually will wear out as the vegetation is depleted. Culling, or capturing and killing them, is highly controversial as well. Elephants are said to be intelligent and with their close family ties, there is real concern about the emotional impact of the death of a family member. So experts in the field are in a quandary about what to do to prevent them from becoming extinct." -EMRO Review This timely documentary looks at the danger of extinction of the African Elephant, not only through the ivory trade, but also due to the advance of humanity across the continent. Its survival is crucial to Africa, but a very real dilemma faces those wishing to save it: the build-up of elephant populations inside national parks leads to a loss of biodiversity just as surely as a loss of elephants outside. One solution is to allow the elephants to migrate freely through the land now taken over by farming, while another alternative is 'management' or controlling the population in national parks by culling. As we discover here, each solution is controversial. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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Animal Habitats and Communities (cc) |
| This program introduces children to four animals and their vanishing habitats. Here they discover each species' unique characteristics and they see how humans' casual destruction of natural habitats causes the animal populations to decrease, putting at least one species, the barn owl, on the endangered list. As a counterpoint, they see wildlife activists at work, trying desperately to stop and eventually reverse the slide. Segment 1: Hawkwatch - A decline in the number of migrating small hawks leads experts, bird "banders" and bird enthusiasts to study these birds' migrations more closely. Segment 2: Owls - A look at owls, their unique characteristics, and their traits, including scientific explanations of the owls' superior sight and hearing, and an overview of their hunting and eating habits. Segment 3: For the Birds - Barn Owl - Here we see a recovery committee who meets to discuss how to help this endangered species survive and how to educate residents about the birds' plight. Segment 4: The Elk - A look at the elk, whose ancestors migrated from Sibera by a glacial land bridge over 125,000 years ago. Over one million elk exist in North America today, but their numbers are being threatened by over-hunting and habitat loss. Produced by TV Ontario. 08DR/CC Closed-Captioned PI 30 min. |
| Barn Owls are facing extinction in North America and Europe; urbanization continues to dwindle their natural habitat, pesticides cause secondary poisoning, and without a suitable hunting habitat they look for food along roadways and are commonly killed by vehicles. This program presents conservation efforts under way to preserve the bird, a vital friend to farmers because they help control disease-carrying rodents. Produced by Ivor Leonard. 08DR IJSCA 30 min. |
| This program examines the 65 million-year history of the crane, and how Humans have put cranes in danger, by altering the natural flooding of the wetlands and affecting climate change. It shows why places such as the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico are needed. Through beautiful footage of the Sandhill Cranes, and insight into these fascinating creatures, the program stimulates an interest in our natural environment and its wildlife. Viewers develop an understanding that changes in the environment can have different effects on different organisms, and that all organisms, including humans, cause environmental changes, which can be good or bad. Produced by TV Ontario. 08DR IJSCA 20 min. |
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Featured Screening Award -NAAEE
Festival In this classic documentary, a crane researcher has success raising cranes by impersonating an adult crane. The results of his ingenuity and compassion are legitimized when one sees his cranes joining a flock. Produced by Ooteck Productions. 08DR/CL JSCA 30 min. |
| Narrated by Burgess Meredith, this classic documentary shows us that as our wetlands have disappeared, so too have the cranes, the oldest bird species on earth. Produced by Ron Meyer. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. Good pick for adventurers and potential
visitors as intimate camera work captures wildlife safaris, as well as
introducing viewers to the region's indigenous and colonial cultures."
-Booklist "Recommended. A strong case is made for conservation of the large mammals shown, and descriptions are of current efforts in that direction are outlined." -Science, Books & Films "Recommended. Eco tourism, bringing people and nature together for the benefit of both, may well be the African reserves' salvation." -EMRO Review Robert Duval, Paul Sorvino, Alan Thicke and Patrick Macnee join Robert Vaughn to recount their incredible journey into Southern Africa. Focusing on wildlife exploration and Africa's vast array of culture, highlights include: Timbavati, Sabisabi and Kagga Kamma Reserves; Hoedspruit Cheetah Project; Shakaland; Heia Safari Ranch; DeBeers Diamond Mine; Highgate Ostrich Farm; Palace of the Lost City; Pilanesberg National Park; and stops in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. Produced by AT, Intl. 08DR IJSCA 45 min. Associated Programs: Zimbabwe: Leopards - Kill of a Life Time and Wild Africa. Also Featuring Patrick Macnee:England 3: In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes |
| A great deal of time, money and effort has gone into rescuing animals from the brink of extinction. From in-vitro fertilization to surrogacy to captive breeding, the race is on to turn back the tide. Endangered animals hold a singular fascination - they represent a battle where the odds are stacked against us. There is also a growing amount of evidence that a lot of the expensive last-ditch efforts are failing in the field. So desperate are scientists that the idea of cloning animals from small samples of their genetic material and creating gene banks for all known species is being discussed. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. This is one of the best educational
videos I have ever seen. What sets this one apart is that it examines the
salmon decline from the perspective of the entire watershed. " -EMRO
Review Today, widespread extinction of salmon stocks seems immanent and this timely program has been produced to shed light on the crisis and to offer solutions to help save the fish. Produced by Michael Fasman Productions. 08DR/CL JSCA 52 min. |
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"Willie Smitts and a small group of conservationists
stand between the orangutan and its extinction in the wild."
-Smithsonian Magazine One hundred years ago there were over 300,000 orangutans; today their number has been reduced to around 15,000 by fires, logging, and poaching in the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. In Kalimantan, Borneo, Willie Smits, a world-renowned Dutch primatologist, devotes his expertise to save these animals from the very real threat of extinction. Orangutans require a lot of wooded space; thus we learn that a "debt-for-nature-swap," which allows a country to make a commitment to set aside a piece of nature forever in return for reducing its foreign debt, is being considered; also that the Balikpapan Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation is receiving donations worldwide to help the local people here and to set aside a very large area of land forever. Produced by Journeyman Pictures, Inc. 08DR JSCA 24 min. |
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"Recommended. An important program that reveals how the
killing of leopards is taking place despite their being an endangered
species." -NAMTC & NMM Review This documentary exposes the latest and most controversial hunting fad sweeping through South Africa and Zimbabwe, the killing of leopards. Safari operators offer overseas hunters the chance to hunt leopards with highly trained and specially bred packs of hounds. Shown are American hunters who shoot exhausted leopards cornered by hunting hounds. The hunters call it the "thrill of a lifetime," and justify the safaris saying they bring in much-needed foreign currency to Zimbabwe's crippled tourist economy. Where money "talks," the concerns of conservationists become more and more marginalized. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 30 min. Associated Programs: Into Africa and Wild Africa: Okavango |
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"Recommended. An important look at the ever-shrinking
world of the manatee." -Ed. Media Review Associated Article: Fury Over a Gentle Giant -Smithsonian Magazine In Florida, this program studies the West Indian Manatee, on the endangered species list since the 1970s, and also underscores the larger issue of specie extinction and human responsibility. Produced by the Univ. of Miami School of Communications. 08DR IJSCA 30 min. |
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"This documentary, which contains outstanding footage of
whales in their natural setting, chronicles a group of Earthwatch Institute
volunteers as they assist in the long-term studies of Drs. Kenneth C.
Balcomb III and Astrid Van Ginneken of the Center for Whale Research; it
uses footage of volunteers in training sessions and aboard whale watching
vessels. Viewers follow the volunteers as they are introduced to the natural
history and behavior of Orcas as well as the painstaking research techniques
that have been used to monitor specific individuals. The State of Washington
is seeking to list resident Orca populations on their endangered species
list because of the continued threats of salmon decline, organochlorine
pollutants, and the increased whale watching industry in and around the San
Juan Islands." -EMRO Review Associated Article: Resurfacing: Orcas in the Northwest -National Parks Magazine Ordinary people do some extraordinary things in an attempt to help Orca killer whales stay off the endangered species list. In this program volunteers assist a biologist off the coast of Washington state in an exceptionally important photo-identification survey of the Ornicus Orca killer whales. A highly intelligent and charismatic mammal, Orcas are one of the mainstays of the tourist industry in the Pacific Northwest; however, a combination of PCB poisoning, declines in salmon, which are an Orca's favorite prey, oil spills, boat collisions, fishing net entanglement, and disease are causing a serious decline in their numbers and the people in this program are taking steps to prevent that. Produced by Filmoption International. 08DR IJSCA 52 min. |
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Associated Article: Learning From Tai Shan
-Smithsonian Magazine The Giant Panda is a beautiful and endearing animal. It inspired a soft toy industry and is a symbol of the People's Republic of China and the World Wildlife Foundation; it too is in danger of extinction. This program introduces viewers to the Giant Panda, explores its history and habitat and reviews conservation programs now established to preserve its existence. Produced by Stellie Ltd. 08DR/CL IJSCA 45 min. |
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Best Wildlife Film
-International Wildlife Film Festival Best Nature Film -Outdoor Writers' Association Best Environment Film -The Banff Film Festival "Highly Recommended. Creating a wonderfully sensitive nature documentary, poetically scripted narration and atmospheric music backs magnificently crystalline views of the trumpeter swan, a graceful, white-hued bird with an amazing eight-foot wingspan. Picture postcard Yellowstone Park vistas of snowcapped mountains rising against azure skies set the mood for the soothing narrator's finely tuned delivery that subtly inspires appreciation and awe for this endangered species." -American Library Association The Trumpeter Swan is not only the largest waterfowl native to North America it also is the embodiment of grace and beauty in nature, linked with unspoiled wilderness; still, this magnificent bird is a threatened species. Trumpeters once flourished over much of the continent, but by 1900 it was believed they had become extinct. Fortunately, nests were discovered in Yellowstone National Park in 1919 and in 1935 the U.S. government established refuge areas to protect them there and in Red Rock Lakes in Montana. Besides predators and habitat loss another serious problem these beautiful birds face is lead poisoning; often they ingest lead shot or lead fishing sinkers when they feed or eat grit from a marsh bottom, which is deadly. This digitally re-mastered, multi-award winning program offers a sensitive portrait of trumpeter swans filmed in natural settings of Yellowstone. Here we witness the struggle of the cygnets (young swans) and follow their flight to escape from the first freeze to migrate through the heartland of America. Produced by Trailwood Films. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. It may come as a surprise to many viewers
that the Great White Shark is considered by some to be a threatened species.
This program focuses on the eco-tourism program operated by the Australian
Shark Conservation Foundation. Nicely woven clips of CSIRO biologists, other
experts, and footage of the eco-tourism clients are used to describe the
biology and ecology of this feared predator. It becomes clear that Great
White Shark populations are under decline due to both trophy fishing and
by-catch. The film footage, both above and below water, is dramatic and
includes scenes of sharks attacking bait and the tagging of sharks for
research purposes. Viewers will learn about the ecological role of top
predators like the white shark, and why they are important for ecosystem
stability. We also learn that Great White Shark populations from around the
world are genetically quite similar and this offers hope that populations
can be replenished if they receive the necessary protection." -EMRO
Review Associated Article: Shark -Smithsonian Magazine The white shark - more than any other living creature it injects fear into the human mind. The terrifying thought of dying in the jaws of "the perfect killing machine" has long been exploited by feature films, tabloid headlines and nature documentaries. Despite their notorious fame, we actually know very little about the white shark's existence, and in recent years there has been mounting concern these creatures are heading towards extinction. In this documentary we join researchers who have the extremely difficult task of trying to predict and protect the future of "great whites" - they are large, dangerous predators, there aren't many of them, and they tend to congregate in the wildest and remotest waters; also governments rarely allocate money to study them. We travel to the Gulf of South Australia where one enterprising scientist, Ian Gordon, has set up an eco-tourism venture that allows him the opportunity to scientifically study the creatures. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 08DR/CL Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. Great on-location cinematography
captures life in the wild of the great Okavango Delta." -Ed. Media
Review Associated Article: Killer Pride -National Geographic, Sept., 2006 A spectacular journey to northern Botswana's unmatched collection of national parks and wildlife preserves; also home of the vast fresh-water marshland, the Okavango. Produced by Sumeria, Inc. 08DR IJSCA 30 min. Associated Programs: Botswana's Untamed Wilderness, Adventure in Botswana: Okavango Delta and Zimbabwe: Leopards - Kill of a Life Time Associated CD ROM: Wild Africa: Okavango |