Lionhearted Farewell: Gotha Taxidermist Retires - Legendary taxidermist retires after 48 years of crafting lifelike animals for Gotha's museum

After nearly 48 years as a zoological taxidermist, Peter Mildner is retiring from his role at Gotha's Friedenstein-Stiftung. His career began with a wildcat model he crafted at just seven years old, sparking a lifelong dedication to the career advice of the craft. Over the decades, he has created around 500 animal mounts, leaving a lasting mark on the city's natural history collections.

Mildner joined the Friedenstein-Stiftung in 1978, where he specialised in taxidermy, exhibition illustrations, and detailed models. One of his most notable works is a 1980s diorama featuring African savanna animals, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. Among his unusual projects were a mounted polar bear, a rare coelacanth, and a three-metre-long southern elephant seal—his most challenging piece, prepared using skin from Antarctica.

Beyond his craftsmanship, Mildner has mentored dozens of interns and organised advanced training across Germany. He also maintains a unique collection of thousands of preserved animal eyes, using them as templates for glass replicas. His final project, a mounted lion named Bono, will soon be displayed in Friedenstein Palace.

Mildner attributes his success to sharp observation, precise handwork, and a thorough grasp of animal anatomy. Even in retirement, he plans to stay involved, supporting colleagues and leading workshops in a field where opportunities, though limited, still exist for dedicated professionals.

Mildner's retirement concludes a career spanning nearly half a century, during which he shaped Gotha's natural history displays. His final work, the lion Bono, will join the collection at Friedenstein Palace. While stepping back from full-time work, he remains committed to sharing his expertise with the next generation of taxidermists.