Fred W. Lahrman
(1921-2003)
Fred Lahrman was a wildlife artist and conservationist who painted dozens of world-class background display dioramas at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM). He was also instrumental in the protection of the prairie dog towns in the Grasslands National Park and, along with Fred Bard, played a crucial role in whooping crane conservation and restoring Canada geese to Saskatchewan after the birds' numbers reached dangerously low levels during the 1950s.
Born in Mortlach, Lahrman began sketching birds and animals at an early age and moved to Regina to study art. He began his 55-year career with the RSM in 1947, when he was hired as an artist-preparator. Throughout his career he performed many other jobs including taxidermy, bird banding, wildlife photography, sound recordings, writing and illustrating museum publications. He was recognized internationally for his artistic ability and conservation work.
He was a charter member of Whooping Crane Conservation Association.
Fred Lahrman doing taxidermy on a pelican.
Fred Lahrman paints the background for the Matador Grasslands exhibit in the future Life Sciences Gallery of the RSM.