Federico Carlos Lehmann
Encyclopedia
Federico Carlos Lehmann was a Colombia
n ornithologist
, plant collector
and conservation biologist
.
, in Cauca
, Colombia. His father, a Colombia-based German explorer, died while exploring the Río Timbique, and Lehmann was largely brought up by his grandfather who encouraged his interest in geography and natural history
. Following ten years of school in Berlin
, Lehmann studied at the University of Cauca
in Popoyán from 1929 to 1934.
in Bogotá
. There he was put in charge of the collection
of animal specimens, travelling throughout the country to build up the collection, and becoming increasingly interested in ornithology and in environmental protection
. He became involved with the International Council for Bird Preservation (now BirdLife International
) and during the 1940s and 1950s worked to promote conservation legislation.
From 1956 to 1961 Lehmann was the assessor of natural resources for the Ministry of Agriculture in the departments of Valle
and Cauca, his work leading to the creation of new protected areas, the Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve
, the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park
, the Puracé National Natural Park
, and the Los Nevados National Natural Park. He also took part in a project at the University of Valle
in Cali
, collecting and classifying the birds of western Colombia. In 1963 he founded the departmental Museum of Natural Sciences in Cali which, after his death in 1974, was named after him. He is also commemorated in the name of Lehmann's Poison Frog
.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n ornithologist
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
, plant collector
Plant collecting
Plant collecting involves procuring live or dried plant specimens, for the purposes of research, cultivation or as a hobby.-Collection of live specimens:...
and conservation biologist
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
.
Early years
Lehmann was born in the city of PopayánPopayán
Popayán is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. It is located in southwestern Colombia between Colombia's Western Mountain Range and Central Mountain Range...
, in Cauca
Cauca Department
Cauca is a Department of Colombia. Located in the south-western part of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Valle del Cauca Department to the north, Tolima Department to the northeast, Huila Department to the east and the Nariño Department to the south, covering a total area of...
, Colombia. His father, a Colombia-based German explorer, died while exploring the Río Timbique, and Lehmann was largely brought up by his grandfather who encouraged his interest in geography and natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
. Following ten years of school in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Lehmann studied at the University of Cauca
University of Cauca
TheUniversidad del Cauca is a public institution of higher education among the 10 best universities in the country, currently in the process of institutional certification and accreditation CNA. Located in the city of Popayán, capital of the department of Cauca, Colombia...
in Popoyán from 1929 to 1934.
Career
In 1938 Lehmann accepted a job in the Institute of Botany at the National University of ColombiaNational University of Colombia
The Universidad Nacional de Colombia , also called UNAL or just UN, is a public, national, coeducational, research university, located primarily in Bogotá, Medellín, Manizales and Palmira, Colombia...
in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
. There he was put in charge of the collection
Collection (museum)
A museum is distinguished by a collection of often unique objects that forms the core of its activities for exhibitions, education, research, etc. This differentiates it from an archive or library, where the contents may be more paper-based, replaceable and less exhibition oriented...
of animal specimens, travelling throughout the country to build up the collection, and becoming increasingly interested in ornithology and in environmental protection
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
. He became involved with the International Council for Bird Preservation (now BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
) and during the 1940s and 1950s worked to promote conservation legislation.
From 1956 to 1961 Lehmann was the assessor of natural resources for the Ministry of Agriculture in the departments of Valle
Valle del Cauca Department
Valle del Cauca is a department of Colombia. It is in the western side of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean, and it is considered one of the most important departments in the Republic of Colombia. Its capital is Santiago de Cali...
and Cauca, his work leading to the creation of new protected areas, the Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve
Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve
The Laguna de Sonso Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia. It contains the last extensive remnant of original natural wetland remaining in the Cauca River Valley in western Colombia, and was declared a nature reserve in October 1978...
, the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park
Farallones de Cali National Natural Park
The Farallones de Cali National Natural Park is the largest national park in the Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia. More than 30 rivers that supply the southwestern Colombia with water originate here...
, the Puracé National Natural Park
Puracé National Natural Park
The Puracé National Natural Park is a national park located in the Andean Region of Colombia, southeast of the city of Popayán in the Cordillera Central range. Its main feature is the active stratovolcano Puracé, one of Colombia's most active volcanoes...
, and the Los Nevados National Natural Park. He also took part in a project at the University of Valle
University of Valle
The University of Valle , also called Univalle, is a public, departmental, coeducational, research university based primarily in the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. It is the largest higher education institution by student population in the southwest of the country, and the third in...
in Cali
Calì
Calì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:...
, collecting and classifying the birds of western Colombia. In 1963 he founded the departmental Museum of Natural Sciences in Cali which, after his death in 1974, was named after him. He is also commemorated in the name of Lehmann's Poison Frog
Lehmann's Poison Frog
Lehmann's Poison Frog or Red-banded Poison Frog is a species of frog in the Dendrobatidae family. It is endemic to Colombia....
.