Luc Hoffmann, Swiss ornithologist, Died at 93

Hans Lukas “Luc” Hoffmann was born on January 23, 1923, and died on July 21, 2016.

He was an ornithologist, conservationist and philanthropist.

Luc co-founded the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), helped establish the Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands and set up the Tour du Valat research centre in the Camargue area of France.

During 2012, his MAVA Foundation, along with WWF International, founded the Luc Hoffmann Institute.

Hoffman was the author of more than 60, mostly ornithological, books.

During 1947, he bought an estate in the Camargue and in 1954 he established the Tour du Valat biological research station on it.

The continued presence of greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in France has been attributed to conservation work conducted at Tour du Valat.

Hoffmann also supported the breeding of Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) nearby and their reintroduction to their native Mongolia in 2004.

There are Generations of ecologists have trained at Tour du Valat, including John Krebs.

Over 60 Ph.D.s have been awarded for research conducted at Tour du Valat by students enrolled at universities in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Hoffmann was on the board of Hoffmann-la Roche, from 1953 to 1996.

Luc Hoffmann passed away at 93 years old.