Bernhard Grzimek

Bernhard Grzimek was born in Nysa in 1909. German veterinarian, zoologist, founder of the Serengeti National Park, awarded an Oscar in 1960 for the documentary about the Serengeti. He graduated from high school in Nysa in 1928, after which he started his veterinary studies in Leipzig, continuing them in Berlin, where he obtained his doctorate in 1933. After graduation, he worked in his profession at the Ministry of Agriculture. During World War II, he served in the Wehrmacht, but without front-line service, he hid Jews many times. After the war, in 1945, he became the director of the zoo in Frankfurt am Main, which he rebuilt after the war damage. He held this function until 1974. He has written several dozen books, made several films and hosted a regular TV program. He was involved in the protection of the Serengeti National Park, he was the curator of national parks in Uganda and Tanzania. He died in 1987 in Frankfurt am Main. He was buried in the Ngorongoro Reserve in Tanzania, in the same grave with his son. Decorated with the Great German Cross of Merit, honorary doctor of the University of Berlin. Honored with a stamp issued by the German Post Office in 2009.