Participation of French Mammalogists in the first international tHERIOLOGICAL congress (Moscow, June 6–12, 1974)

The First International Theriological (Mammalogical) Congress that brought together about 1000 mammalogists from 30 countries across the world was held in Moscow fifty years ago, on June 6–12, 1974. Based on the materials from the fonds of the Congress Organizing Committee (Russian Academy of Sciences Archive. F. 1684), the article analyzes the preparation and conduct of this notable event and the participation of international mammalogists, primary French scientists, in this congress. Twenty five French participants from France had registered for the Congress, with 11 papers by French authors including 2 plenary presentations by F. Bourlière and J. Giban. The significance of the Congress as the first large-scale space for the mammalogists’ communication is also discussed. It is emphasized that the Congress participants had appreciated how well this international event was organized, which was reflected in numerous relevant publications, including the international ones.