George Beals Schaller (born May 26, 1933, in Berlin, Germany) is an acclaimed American mammalogist, biologist, conservationist, and author, widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent field biologists and a pioneering conservationist. After growing up in Germany during World War II and moving to Missouri in 1947, he developed an early passion for wildlife that led him to pursue fieldwork over conventional academia. Since 1956, he has been associated with the New York Zoological Society (now the Wildlife Conservation Society/WCS), where he co-founded the International Conservation Program at the Bronx Zoo and served as director of international programs. His groundbreaking field studies have focused on endangered species across continents, including mountain gorillas in Africa (predating Dian Fossey's work), tigers and snow leopards in Asia, giant pandas in China, jaguars in South America, and early work in Alaska that helped establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. His research has contributed to the creation of over 20 parks and reserves worldwide. Schaller is also a founder of the International Conservation program at WWF, serves as vice president of Panthera Corporation (chairing its Cat Advisory Council), and remains a senior conservationist at WCS. He has authored numerous influential books documenting his observations and advocating for conservation.