Rudolph Carl Bigalke
Encyclopedia
Rudolph Carl Bigalke, was a zoologist, a director of the McGregor Museum
in Kimberley
, South Africa
, subsequently heading the Department of nature conservation at the University of Stellenbosch and serving for several terms as Dean of the Faculty of Forestry
at that university. He was born in Kimberley on 24 February 1932 and died on 28 November 2002 at his home in Stellenbosch. He was affectionately known as 'Rudi' and also had the nickname 'Loxodonta africana'.
, he went on to Rhodes University
in Grahamstown
where he graduated with a BSc Honours in zoology and a university education diploma.
Bigalke continued his studies under Gustav Kramer at J.W. Goethe University at Frankfurt am Main, where he was awarded a PhD in 1956.
in what was then South West Africa
(now Namibia
), Bigalke joined the staff of the McGregor Museum
in his home town of Kimberley in 1958.
.
In 1970 Bigalke was appointed to head the Department of Nature Conservation at the University of Stellenbosch, serving also as Dean of the Faculty of Forestry for several terms.
McGregor Museum
The McGregor Museum in Kimberley, South Africa, originally known as the Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum, is a province-aided museum established in 1907.- Overview :...
in Kimberley
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, subsequently heading the Department of nature conservation at the University of Stellenbosch and serving for several terms as Dean of the Faculty of Forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
at that university. He was born in Kimberley on 24 February 1932 and died on 28 November 2002 at his home in Stellenbosch. He was affectionately known as 'Rudi' and also had the nickname 'Loxodonta africana'.
Early life and education
Growing up on a farm outside Kimberley, his interest in zoology originated early in life. Schooled at Kimberley Boys' High SchoolKimberley Boys' High School
Kimberley Boys' High School is a high school located on the corner of Dalham Road and Memorial Road, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. It was founded in 1887 and has close affiliation with Kimberley Girls' High School and Kimberley Junior School....
, he went on to Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
where he graduated with a BSc Honours in zoology and a university education diploma.
Bigalke continued his studies under Gustav Kramer at J.W. Goethe University at Frankfurt am Main, where he was awarded a PhD in 1956.
McGregor Museum
Following an initial appointment at the Etosha National ParkEtosha National Park
Etosha National Park is a national park in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia. The park shares boundaries with the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa....
in what was then South West Africa
South West Africa
South-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
(now Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
), Bigalke joined the staff of the McGregor Museum
McGregor Museum
The McGregor Museum in Kimberley, South Africa, originally known as the Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum, is a province-aided museum established in 1907.- Overview :...
in his home town of Kimberley in 1958.
Natal Parks and Stellenbosch University
Bigalke left Kimberley in 1964 to take up the position as Principal Research Officer for the Natal Parks Board in PietermaritzburgPietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
.
In 1970 Bigalke was appointed to head the Department of Nature Conservation at the University of Stellenbosch, serving also as Dean of the Faculty of Forestry for several terms.