German zoologist Lydia Möcklinghoff (1981-2026) has died in a plane crash in Brazil. The renowned anteater researcher was a welcome guest on talk shows and also shared her knowledge on "Sendung mit der Maus".
Möcklinghoff died on Friday, July 3, 2026, as confirmed on her Instagram account. "Thank you for your boundless curiosity and kindness. You will be sorely missed", the message read alongside a photo of the researcher.
Dortmund Zoo mourns
Dortmund Zoo also paid tribute to Möcklinghoff in a statement. The sad news was received "with great dismay", as emphasized in a post. "Lydia was far more to us than a valued research partner. For many years we were in close contact with her and supported her scientific work on giant anteaters in Brazil." Many findings were directly incorporated into the animals' care and management.
The zoo also honored the person behind the researcher: "With her passion, her scientific curiosity and her tireless dedication, Lydia made a significant contribution to expanding our knowledge of giant anteaters and advancing conservation measures for this endangered species. Through her media work, Lydia also inspired many people about nature and species conservation and was an important voice for the wildlife of the Pantanal." With her, they were losing not only an outstanding scientist, "but above all a warm-hearted, joyful and exceptionally dedicated person".
Fog as possible cause
Her twin-engine light aircraft, an Embraer/Neiva EMB-810D "Seneca", had departed from Santa Maria Airport early Friday morning according to "Bild" - en route to the Aquidauana region, where the researcher planned to conduct fieldwork in the Pantanal. Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a forested area near the airport. The pilot also died in the crash.
What caused the crash remains unclear. Dense fog and poor visibility prevailed in the morning. Whether that played a role is still open. Investigators suspect the pilot may have lost orientation, but don't rule out a technical defect either. An expert told "Campo Grande News" about an almost vertical fall. The Brazilian aviation authority Cenipa, responsible for accidents, is investigating the cause; a result is still pending.
Pioneer of anteater research
Möcklinghoff became known for her work in the Pantanal, which at around 210,000 square kilometers is the world's largest inland wetland. Born in Wilhelmshaven, she had been living alternately in Cologne and Brazil since 2009 and was considered a pioneer in her field. She was the first scientist worldwide to extensively observe the behavior of the giant anteater for more than a year.
She also wrote books like "Die Supernasen", produced podcasts like "Tierisch!", and worked as a freelance author for WDR, for which she reported from the Pantanal several times for "Sendung mit der Maus". On "MausLive" on WDR 5, she created her own series "Lydia im Pantanal" and "Lydias Pantanal-Abenteuer". The broadcaster called her the "Maus-Forscherin".
