Bengt Holst

Bengt Holst (born 14 May 1952) is a Danish biologist who, until his retirement at the end of 2020, was scientific director at Copenhagen Zoo.[1]

Bengt Holst
Born (1952-05-14) 14 May 1952
NationalityDenmark Danish
Alma materUniversity of Copenhagen
Occupations
  • Chairman of the Danish Animal Ethics Council
  • Chairman of the Danish Nature Fund
  • Former Scientific Director of the Copenhagen Zoo

Holst received a MSc in biology from the University of Copenhagen in 1983.[1] Thereafter, Holst was employed as a zoologist and research assistant at Copenhagen Zoo. In 1988, Holst became head of the animal department and in 1994 deputy director and scientific director.[1]

Holst has participated in Denmark Radio's scientific radio programs Leksikon og Viden Om.[2] In 2012, he became chairman of the Animal Ethics Council.[3]

Controversy

Bengt Holst became well known in February 2014, when he appeared as a spokesman for Copenhagen Zoo in the Danish and international press to tell about the decision to autopsy the giraffe Marius in front of an audience.[4] Holst explained that sending Marius to another zoo would have opened the door to gene concentrations and inbreeding, and another giraffe with a more diverse genetic makeup would be more valuable for future offspring in zoo breeding programs.[5]

Danish Nature Fund appointment

After retiring as Scientific Director of the Copenhagen Zoo on 31 December 2020, the Danish Minister of the Environment appointed Holst as the new chairman of the Danish Nature Fund.[6]

Written works
  • Editor in chief, "Verdens Dyreliv – et illustreret opslagsværk om dyreriget" (2007). Forlaget Globe. ISBN 978-87-7900-621-8.
  • Translation and adaptation into Danish, "Politikkens bog om pattedyr" (2003). "Politikkens forlag"

References
  1. "Bengt Holst bliver 60" Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine (14-05-2012). U-landsnyt.dk. Læst 12-06-2014.
  2. "Om Aftenshowets eksperter". DR.
  3. "Formand med interesse for regnorme" (31-10-2012). Kristeligt Dagblad. Last accessed July 12th, 2014.
  4. "Zoo-direktør: »Det nytter ikke noget, at vi laver verden om til en Disney-verden«" (11-02-2014). Politiken. Last accessed June 12th, 2014.
  5. "Anger Erupts After Danish Zoo Kills a ‘Surplus’ Giraffe" New York Times Last accessed August 7th 2021.
  6. “Miljøministeren udpeger ny formand for Den Danske Naturfond” Press release January 15th 2021 from the Ministry of the Environment. Accessed August 7th, 2021.
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