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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural SciencesInstitute of Zoology

Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler

Systematics, natural history, zoo biology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in particular from Southeast Asia.

  • 1989/90-1994/95 Biology degree, Rhineland Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn
  • 1994/95-1995/96 Diploma thesis, Zoological Research Institute and Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn
  • 02/1996 Diploma degree
  • 1997-2000 Doctoral thesis, ZFMK, supported by graduate grants of the Federal State Northrhine-Westfalia, of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and by a grant of the Volkswagen Foundation
  • 12/2000 Doctor's degree, "Dr. rer. nat.", Mathematical-Scientific Faculty, Rhineland Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn

  • 09/2000-12/2001 Scientific employee, curator mammalogy, and head of the branch office Moritzburg, Natural History State Collections Dresden, Zoology Museum (MTD)
  • 05/2001-12/2001 Vice director and head of the vertebrate division, MTD
  • since 01/2003 Curator Aquarium / Terrarium / Insectarium, Zoological Garden Cologne and Coordinator of the Zoo’s biodiversity and nature conservation projects in Vietnam and Laos
  • since 02/2009 Associate Professor (Zoology), Zoological Institute, University of Cologne
  • 2010 Albertus Magnus apprenticeship Award, Biology, University of Cologne
  • since 2016 Adjunct Professor, Zoological Institute, University of Cologne

  • since 2008 Member of the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, within the Mainland Southeast Asia Region
  • since 2009 Expert in the subject matter „Reptiles and Amphibians“ (§ 47 para. 1 phrase 2 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act)
  • since 2010 Scientific Advisor of the Amphibian and Reptile Taxon Advisory Group, European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA)
  • since 2010 Member of the IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group
  • since 2011 Member of the Steering Group, EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund
  • since 2012 European Studbook (ESB) Keeper Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)
  • since 2014 Member of the IUCN/SSC Monitor Lizard Specialist Group (MLSG)
  • 2016-2022 IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group Regional Chair for Europe
  • since 2017 Editorial board member Journal of Varanid Biology & Husbandry
  • since 2017 Editorial board member Nature Conservation
  • since 2017 Guest lectureship Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi
  • since 2018 Member of the IUCN/SSC Skink Specialist Group
  • since 2018 Editorial board member ZooKeys
  • since 2019 Co-Editor in chief Journal Der Zoologische Garten
  • since 2020 Editorial Board member Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE) Journal of Science
  • since 2021 Advisor Yayasan Ulin (Ironwood Foundation), East Kalimantan, on crocodile conservation
  • since 2021 Editorial Board member, Academia Journal of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
  • since 2021 Advisory council member Citizen Conservation c/o Frogs & Friends
  • since 2021 Advisory council member Stiftung Artenschutz
  • since 2022 Member of the IUCN/SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group
  • since 2022 Advisor of the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MfG)
  • 11/2022 Selected with the idea of the conservation zoo for The Blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List 2022: as one of the Top 50 Influencers in the first Blooloop 50 Influencers list for professionals within the zoo and aquarium community.