The fonds consists of the records of the Zoological Society of Montreal for the entirety of its existence, from 1964-2016. These records were generated in the pursuit of the Zoological Society’s goal to enhance public awareness of wildlife conservation issues through speakers, film screenings, field trips, special events, and large projects. The records also reflect the Society's charity to zoological, ecological and conservation causes. The administration of the Society, its interactions with its members, and its projects and events are documented through minutes, correspondence, communications, published articles, financial documents, reports, and proposals. The Society’s interests and activities are also reflected through books, objects from their offices, audio and video materials, and 5243 photographs, most of which are stored in photo albums. The fonds also contains the records of the Zoological Society of Canada, which were created to administer the Canadian Society similarly to the Montreal Society, with the goal of expanding the organization’s reach nationally.

The fonds is comprised of the following series: 1) Activities (1965-2013); 2) Administration (1964-2016); 3) Artifacts (1980-2004); 4) Books (1967-1991); and 5) Newsletters (1967-2016).

The series consists of records created in the fulfilment of the Zoological Society’s mandate and goals to host events, trips, speakers, and to donate to and support worthy causes. This includes event and project planning records with related financial documents and reports, guest lists, communications to members, and correspondence. A large part of this series is concerned with the Society’s whale watching excursions and their whale conservation efforts. These files include an annual pamphlet called Whales Alive! = les Baleines!, flyers, newspaper advertisements and published articles, all promoting whale watching field trips. Others include donations, correspondence, and financial documents relating to issues surrounding conservation. Other types of activities covered in this series are field trips (primarily around Quebec but also a few internationally), film screenings (known as theatre nights), art shows, fundraisers and lectures. The field trips and some events of the Society are documented in 5193 photographs stored in 24 photo albums (1989-2009). Apart from events, projects undertaken by the Society are included, such as their efforts to build a wildlife park in Montreal’s West Island, the conservation of owls, lynxes, birds, turtles and flowers, and their wildlife pavilion at Man and His World.
There are large gaps in the Activities series. The Society’s founding project, the Montreal Aquarium and Dolphin Arena, and their proposal for an ark at Expo ’67 are only included briefly in these records. For more information on these projects, see the Administration series files MSG1164.c5.f11, f12, f13. Also, there are few photos documenting the Society’s activities before 1989.

Photo album; including events:
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (20 Jan 2007)
Eastern Townships/Sugaring-Off, Quebec (25 Mar 2007)
Plaisance/Cef de l'Outaouais, Quebec (29 Apr 2007)
Lac Saint-Francois National Wildlife Area, Quebec (27 May 2007)
Oka Park, Quebec (17 Jun 2007)
Gatineau Park and Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train, Quebec (22 Sep 2007 - 23 Sep 2007)
Domaine Saint-Bernard, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec (14 Oct 2007)
Birds of Prey (17 Apr 2007)

Photo album; including events:
Centre d'Interpretation de la Canneberge and Centre la Plaine Foret Drummond, Quebec (28 Sep 2008)
[Christmas Party] (10 Dec 2008)
The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa (22 Feb 2009)
The Laurentians/Sugaring-Off, Quebec (29 Mar 2009)
Boise Multiressource Von Allmen, Quebec (26 Apr 2009)
Montmagny and the Chaudiere-Appalaches Region-Quebec (16 May 2009)
Parc R

Audio cassette; "About Whales" and "C.B.C. interview at the Radio Canada Building June 16 on the air at June 17 835 AM, 'Good Morning Quebec' Sat., 1978" written on cassette; Title from cassette sleeve.

Audio cassette; Title from cassette sleeve.

DVD containing 3 slideshow videos comprised of photos and videos of Society members on fieldtrips between the years 1991-2008. Slide shows were made Nov. 27, 2008 by Joan Ouellette (Wolfsong Productions).

Recording of Discovery Channel documentary on Point Pelee, Ontario.

Features Society members on bird watching trip in Florida.

About Society protesting industry of whale watching including communications, correspondence with members, governments, and organizations on this issue. Also contains government documents on this issue.