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Using trap-motion cameras, wildlife photographer Carlton Ward charts the habitat of the elusive – and vanishing – Florida panther. Filmmaker Eric Bendick follows Ward and cohorts as they pursue the perfect photograph that they believe will change the tide of public indifference to government-sanctioned destruction of the Everglades’ delicately balanced ecosystem and the panther’s imminent extinction. Image-making has rarely felt this essential to our planet’s survival. (DOC NYC)
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One of the awards at this year's International Festival of Science Documentary Films definitely ended up in the right hands (or should I say claws?). The film traps the viewer in the opening scene, in which we witness yet another needless death of a Florida cougar, and only lets go at the very end, where hope dawns for this rare species. Path of the Panther presents the state of the cougar in the Everglades in a compelling and (especially so thanks to the score), at times alarming, yet unobtrusive way, depicting the tireless efforts of humans to save these animals, which are truly scarce in the wild. Of all the actors, I was most impressed by the scenes with the native Betty Osceola, whose origin and relationship to the local nature gave the documentary a kind of mystical touch. Hopefully there is a brighter tomorrow for Florida cougars!
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Photo © National Geographic Channel
