User Reviews

This marvelous documentary by Arthur Dubs and Heinz Sielmann explores North American fauna (and some flora) in the Arctic and in the Florida Everglades. The overall message, of course, is the importance of conserving our wildlife. Several major animals have recovered from near extinction. A particular treat was seeing the musk ox, about the only large land mammal that survived the mass extinction of the late Pleistocene and Holocene Periods. Incidentally, the animal had lived alongside the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus), the saber-toothed cat (Smilodon), the large ground sloth (Megatherium), and the large armadillo (Glyptodon). And it out-survived them all. The survival of the musk ox occurred because of its abode in the farthest northern land areas of the world, likely because man did not inhabit that cold area (50°F below zero!).

The nature film states that the largest gathering of mammals in the world occurs in the Pribilof Islands, north of the Aleutians, where 1.5 million seals congregate. The walrus supplies Eskimos with all of their needs, including food, clothing and knives. At one time there were Buffalo herds of over a thousand square miles (50 miles by 25 miles)! They have come back some. The pronghorn antelope, which once numbered forty million, has also been saved from extinction. As a porcupine has 30,000 quills for defense, even a wolf is wary. For if it swats its powerful tail against the wolf's mouth, that animal may starve because it is difficult to eat with a mouthful of sharp, painful needles. Then there are the dive-bombing skills of the pelican, which are enough to stun a fish, making it easy prey. The undisputed king of the far north is the polar bear, which hunts seals and walruses, and has no natural enemies. There is much more, such as information about the wild mustang and the moose, so see the documentary and enjoy. If you do not like Rex Allen's fine narration or the music, just lower the volume. The film is pleasing.

VANISHING WILDERNESS may have recently been put on the endangered species list for its hard-to-find status, but this is a special treat for the children who will be delighted by rare shots of rare wild animals. Older folks might remember this from years ago. Intended for purposely showing us the natural beauty of wildlife, it provides truthful thought about the civilization that is currently decaying in progress. Arthur Dubs, known for a few mountain movies, took part with Heinz Sielmann in capturing the essence and splendor of the wild. Rex Allen's colorful narration really stands out. Dubs did another documentary feature called WONDER OF IT ALL, which has slightly lesser results. Definitely recommended for the young, and any family living on mountainous terrains who preserve the wilderness heritage.