“The Woman Who Loves Giraffes” is heading to theaters. Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber snagged U.S. rights to Alison Reid’s documentary about Canadian zoologist, biologist, and author Anne Innis Dagg. Deadline broke the news.

Slated to open January 10 in NY and February 21 in LA, the feature explores how Dagg, “who began studying giraffes in the wild in South Africa in 1956 (ahead of Jane Goodall’s and Diane Fosse’s exploits) … found it difficult to gain traction in her own profession because she was a woman.” Reid first traveled solo to South Africa at the age of 23, and “her work became the foundation for many scientists following in her footsteps,” the source notes.

The doc sees Dagg, now 85, retracing her journey with “letters and original 16mm footage show a window into her life as a young woman, juxtaposed with a first-hand look at the devastating reality giraffes face today.”

Though she’s best known for her research on giraffes, Dagg has also published work about Canadian wildlife, camels, and primates, among other subjects. She’s spoken out about gender bias in academia, a subject she’s researched and written extensively about — and experienced first-hand. The doc digs into how the “old boys’ network” derailed Dagg’s career, and specifically her bid for tenure.

Reid’s other credits include 2008 feature “The Baby Formula” and episodes of  “Murdoch Mysteries” and “Heartland.”

“This expertly made film hit all the right buttons for us: a fascinating unknown story of a remarkable woman, scientist, feminist, and naturalist, which left us both furious at a career derailed, and elated at this belatedly happy outcome for Girafologist Anne Innis Dagg,” Zeitgeist Films co-presidents Emily Russo and Nancy Gerstman said. “We are thrilled to share her story with U.S. audiences and bring her important, overlooked work back to the fore where it urgently needs to be.”

“I’ve always wanted to be scientist,” Dagg says in a trailer for the film. Check it out below.