Karl Max Schneider

Karl Max Schneider (13 March 1887 – 26 October 1955) was an East German zoologist who served as director for the Leipzig Zoo from 1934 till his death.

In 1913 he wrote a thesis on the philosophy of Heinrich Rickert's transcendentalism, but due to the onset of World War I he received a doctorate only in 1918.

During the war he was drafted into the front line and was injured in the lower left leg, leading to its amputation.

In 1934 he became director of the Leipzig Zoo where he took a special interest in the breeding behaviour of big cats, particularly lions.

[3][4] He was made an honorary citizen of the city of Leipzig and was awarded the National Prize of the GDR in 1953.