Years before Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees and Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas, Anne Innis Dagg, a 23-year-old Canadian biologist, became the first person from outside the African continent to make a solo journey to South Africa to study animals in the wild. Although Dagg returned home armed with ground-breaking research, she faced insurmountable barriers as a woman in science. In addition to being the world's first "giraffologist" who authored the book considered to be the cornerstone of giraffe biology, Dr. Dagg went on to author books that challenged sexism in academia, science and culture. This film follows Dr. Anne Innis Dagg as she re-traces the steps of her groundbreaking 1956 journey to South Africa to study giraffes and recalls her life's work to bring attention to the importance of both giraffes in the wild and to women's rights.
Screening as part of the Portland EcoFilm Festival's Earth Day Weekend Film Showcase, April 19 - 21.