Lionhearted Farewell: Gotha Taxidermist Retires - Master taxidermist retires after 48 years of bringing animals back to life

Peter Mildner, a zoological taxidermist in Gotha, is retiring after nearly 48 years of service. His career began with a wildcat model he sculpted at just seven years old, sparking a lifelong dedication to the craft. Now, his final project—a mounted lion named Bono—will be unveiled at Friedenstein Palace before he steps down.

Mildner has worked at Gotha's natural history collections since 1978, creating countless mounts and models over the decades. His expertise lies in keen observation, manual precision, and a deep grasp of animal anatomy. Among his most demanding tasks was preparing a three-metre-long southern elephant seal using skin sourced from Antarctica.

The face of each mount holds special importance for him, as it defines the animal's lifelike presence. He crafts models from unusual materials, including wax from cheese wrappers or chocolate foil. His workshop also houses thousands of preserved animal eyes in jars, which serve as templates for the glass eyes used in his work.

Despite retiring, Mildner plans to stay involved by supporting colleagues and leading workshops. However, the future of his position remains uncertain, as taxidermy is a niche field with fluctuating demand and no clear successor in sight.

Mildner's retirement marks the end of an era for Gotha's natural history collections. His final piece, the lion Bono, will stand as a testament to his nearly five-decade career. Though he leaves his full-time role, his passion for taxidermy will continue through mentorship and hands-on contributions.