Rogwr Caras American naturalist, photographer, writer, television personality Date of Birth: 28.05.1928 Country: USA

Biography of Roger A. Caras

American naturalist, photographer, writer, and television host Roger A. Caras was born on May 28, 1928, in the town of Methuen, Massachusetts. He was raised by parents who encouraged his love for animals and even allowed him to have a small menagerie. From the age of ten, Caras worked to support his pets and his first job was at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where he cared for injured horses.

After graduating from high school in Boston, Caras was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. When he returned to Boston, he enrolled in the zoology program at Northwestern University and then transferred to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. However, he left his studies once again to serve in the Korean War.

After his military service, Caras settled on the West Coast and decided to pursue his education. He obtained a doctorate degree in film from the University of Southern California, rather than zoology. Caras then began working in the growing film industry. Over the course of 15 years, he served as the press secretary for actress Joan Crawford and worked as an assistant to Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick on the film "2001: A Space Odyssey." During this time, he also wrote articles about animals and environmental issues.

In 1962, Caras published his book "Antarctica: Continent of the Frozen Time," and made his television debut as a resident naturalist on a talk show. He also served as a consultant to Walt Disney on the construction of the "Animal Kingdom" theme park. Caras increasingly appeared on television as a special correspondent, reporting on ecological issues and filming wildlife in their natural habitats. He advocated against animal testing, raised awareness about the endangered giant panda in China, and investigated the smuggling of exotic animals.

In 1991, Caras was nominated as a candidate for the presidency of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and won the election. He served in this position until 1999 but continued his tireless work in animal advocacy even after his retirement.

Caras built a farm in Baltimore, Maryland, where he and his wife Jill cared for twelve dogs, nine cats, five horses, two cows, and a llama. He passed away in 2001, leaving behind his beloved pets and two children, Barkley and Pamela.