Watching Wildlife

Watching Wildlife: A History of the Wildlife Documentary Genre Cynthia Chris explores the evolution of wildlife documentaries from their origins in colonial visual culture to their contemporary status as flagship programming on global television. She examines how documentary images of animals reflect prevailing ideologies about human gender, sexuality, and race. The genre's focus on mating and favored species is particularly noteworthy, highlighting the ways in which documentary images are shaped by societal attitudes. Chris's analysis draws on specific shows and film history to illustrate these points, providing a comprehensive understanding of the wildlife documentary genre. By incorporating this often-overlooked genre into broader debates about media globalization, human-animal relations, and popular scientific discourse, Chris offers a unique perspective on the role of wildlife documentaries in shaping our perceptions of the natural world.