Streetfilms: The Search for the Zozo
As New York history buffs can tell you, until the early part of the 20th century, the city was prime habitat for Zozos -- large, furry, innocent
purple creatures that freely roamed the streets, mingling with people and enjoying the public realm.
But after the advent of the automobile their numbers slowly dwindled. By the 1930s, sightings became rare and they were thought to have gone
extinct.
3:37 PM EDT on April 30, 2009
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog New York City
City Officials Shrug at NYPD Cop’s Reckless Driving As Advocates Push ‘Stop Super Speeders’ Bill
What will it take for the city’s political establishment to confront a super-speeding police officer?
April 24, 2026
Friday Video(s): Kidical Mass, Night-Biking in Tokyo, and More
There were great urbanism-adjacent YouTube videos for every taste this week; here are six of our favorites.
April 24, 2026
That Widely Misrepresented E-Mobility Study Actually Reveals Need For Safer Streets, Not Hysteria
A new look into emergency room data at one Manhattan hospital shows a need for more infrastructure, despite what you might have read elsewhere.
April 24, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Menin Wants to Take This Outside Edition
City Council Speaker Julie Menin reiterated her plan to "fix" outdoor dining at this year's Public Space Awards. Plus more news.
April 24, 2026
To Protect And Swerve: NYPD Cop Has 547 Speeding Tickets Yet Remains On The Force
James Giovansanti is supposed to protect New Yorkers, but endangers them with impunity.
April 23, 2026