Heinz Sielmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heinz Sielmann
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Portrait of Sielmann on his gravestone
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| Born | 2 June 1917 |
| Died | 6 October 2006 (aged 89) Munich, Germany
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| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Wildlife photographer, biologist, zoologist and documentary filmmaker |
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Notable work
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Windows in the Woods |
Heinz Sielmann (born June 2, 1917 – died October 6, 2006) was a famous German wildlife photographer, biologist, and documentary filmmaker. He spent his life exploring nature and showing the amazing lives of animals through his films.
Contents
Early Life and Studies
Heinz Sielmann's father was a doctor named Paul Sielmann. From a young age, Heinz was very interested in nature.
In 1938, he made his first film. It was a silent movie about birds living in East Prussia. This was just the start of his amazing career.
However, his work was put on hold because of World War II. During the war, he was stationed in Poland. He worked as an instructor for radio communications.
In 1940, Heinz studied biology and specialized in zoology at the University of Posen. There, he met Joseph Beuys, who was learning from him. They both attended classes about living things and animals.
Later, Heinz was sent to Crete. He continued to work with cameras there. After the war, he was a prisoner of war for a short time. He then started editing the film he shot in Crete to make a three-part documentary.
A Career in Wildlife Films
After the war, Heinz Sielmann began working for the Educational Film Institute in Germany. His films became very popular.
The Woodpecker Man
One of his most famous films was about woodpeckers. It was called Carpenters of the Forest (1954). This movie was a huge hit in the United Kingdom. The BBC showed it in 1955.
Because of this film, Heinz Sielmann earned the nickname "Mr. Woodpecker." People loved how he showed the secret lives of these birds.
Other Famous Works
Heinz Sielmann made many other important films. These include:
- Lords of the Forest (1959), which was also known as Masters of the Congo Jungle.
- Galapagos – Dream Island in the Pacific (1962).
- Vanishing Wilderness (1973).
- The Mystery of Animal Behavior.
In the late 1960s, he worked with National Geographic on wildlife documentaries. He also helped film The Hellstrom Chronicle (1971), a movie about insects that won an Academy Award.
In 1973, he received the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award from the Royal Geographical Society. This award recognized his important work in wildlife photography.
Television and Conservation
Heinz Sielmann also became a household name in Germany through television. His series Expeditionen ins Tierreich (Expeditions into the Animal Kingdom) started in 1965. It ran until 1991, with 152 episodes!
In 1994, he started the Heinz Sielmann-Stiftung (Heinz Sielmann Foundation). This foundation works to protect nature. It has successfully brought back animals like beavers and otters to parts of Germany.
Later Life and Legacy
Heinz Sielmann passed away in Munich when he was 89 years old. He was buried in the German town of Duderstadt.
His work continues to inspire people to learn about and protect wildlife. On June 2, 2018, a Google Doodle honored his 101st birthday.
See also
In Spanish: Heinz Sielmann para niños
