November 05

Theodor von Heuglin was a German explorer and ornithologist whose expeditions greatly expanded knowledge of African wildlife. Born in 1824, he studied natural sciences before embarking on journeys to northeastern and central Africa. He collected extensive zoological specimens and made detailed observations of bird species previously unknown to science. Heuglin’s multi-year travels took him from Egypt to the shores of Lake Chad, often under challenging conditions. His publications, including Reise in Nordost-Afrika, provided invaluable geographic and natural history information. He collaborated with leading European museums to catalog specimens and advance ornithological research. His work laid foundations for subsequent explorers and contributed significantly to 19th-century zoology.