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The Asiatic Zoological Expedition is alternately referred to as the First Asiatic Expedition or the First Asiatic Zoological Expedition. The nominal and observable aim of this expedition was to collect zoological specimens to help populate the American Museum of Natural History’s upcoming Hall of Asiatic Life but more importantly, this expedition would also provide a foundation to Andrews’ plans for a series of expeditions in Asia. Building upon the “Out of Asia” theory that was at the time supported by many scientists, including the Museum president Henry Fairfield Osborn, Andrews saw the potential for exploration of the area for evidence of mammalian origin, including that of human life. (2) It was thus relatively easy for Andrews to get the interest and support of the Museum. The Museum provided half of the $14,000 required through the Morris Jesup Fund, and Andrews was able to raise the remaining funds from patrons and members of the Museum. He would ultimately prove to be particularly adept at fundraising and promotion throughout his career.
As China was undergoing revolution and rebellion at the time, they were advised to postpone the expedition. Nevertheless, Andrews and his wife Yvette Borup Andrews made the decision to continue and sailed from San Francisco on March 28, 1916 en route to Japan. Andrews would take the role of general director and big-game hunter and Yvette, as a trained photographer, would act as expedition photographer. Still and motion picture photography proved valuable documentary tools for all of Andrews’ Asiatic expeditions, and among the supplies for this trip was one of the motion picture cameras developed by Carl Akeley of the Museum. (3) The other member of the expedition team would be Edmund Heller. Heller was a naturalist who had been previously been associated with one of Roosevelt’s African Expeditions. He would take responsibility for maintaining the quality of the specimens collected and be in charge of collecting smaller mammals. Other individuals assisted the expedition and many additional staff members were hired locally, including their interpreter Wu Hung-tao from the Anglo-Chinese College in Fuzhou, various English-speaking cooks, and four hunters from the Moso province who were engaged along with their hunting dogs.
Before Heller joined the group in July of 1916, the Roy and Yvette Andrews were met by and went hunting near Fuzhou with Harry R. Caldwell, a Methodist Missionary as well as big game hunter. Caldwell had written to Andrews expressing his desire to hunt together for the fabled “blue tiger.” (4) Although they did not find the creature, many specimens were collected for the Museum. By August of 1916 Roy, Yvette and Heller were headed to the Yunnan Province interior, where for nine months they traveled and collected throughout the region until leaving Bhamo for Rangoon on June 9 of 1917. (5) They had amassed over 3000 specimens, "2100 mammals, 800 birds, 200 reptiles and batrachians, 200 skeletons and formalin preparations for anatomical study, 150 Paget color plates, 500 photographic negatives, and 10,000 feet of motion picture film." (6) They were able to collect such diverse species as serows, gorals, takin, muntjac, porcupines, gibbons, and other monkeys. (7) When they reached Rangoon at the end of their collecting period, there were transportation difficulties so they had to travel overland across India to Bombay to find available shipping. (8) They returned to New York on October 1, 1917. This would prove to be just the beginning of Andrews’ explorations in the Central Asiatic region.
The 1918-1919 Expedition followed this one. Together they can be viewed as precursive to the Third Asiatic Expedition, commonly known as the Central Asiatic Expeditions.
The Third Asiatic Expedition, or Central Asiatic Expeditions were the culmination of the expeditionary work done by Andrews in this initial trip to the Asian region.
Andrews acted as general leader and director as well as the big game collector for the Expedition.
Yvette Borup Andrews was Roy Chapman Andrews' wife and acted as the photographer on this Expedition.
Heller was a zoologist and naturalist who joined the Expedition. He was responsible for the smaller mammal collections as well as the preservation of the specimens. Heller had previously been associated with the Field Museum and the Smithsonian and gone on expeditions with Akeley and Roosevelt.
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One of four Moso hunters who, along with their pack of hunting dogs, accompanied the Expedition. Hotenfa openly grieved when the lead dog died during an attack.
American Methodist Missionary in Fujian Province, also a big-game hunter who welcomed and assisted the Expedition, traveled with Andrews to attempt to procure the fabled "blue" tiger.
Chinese minister to the United States who advised them to postpone the trip due to the political environment in the region.
AMNH president, he was extremely supportive of the Asiatic Expeditions. Further, Osborn was a vocal advocate of the Out of Asia theory.
Parent institution and sponsor of the Expedition, Andrews' employer.
Chinese Interpreter, head "boy" and general field manager; native of Foochow, studied English at the Anglo-Chinese College there.
Worked at the Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow, assisted the Expedition greatly in acquiring supplies and staff.
An English speaking cook for part of the Expedition.
Worked for the British American Tobacco Company, acted as expedition banker, based in Ta-Li Fu.