Kees Naaktgeboren 1934-2020

Birth in Domestic and Wild Dogs

Cornelis (Kees) Naaktgeboren was a pioneer in research on the biology of birth. His preferred method was to observe, photograph and film animals before, during and after birth. He kept several wild animals in his home to gain their trust.

This 1970 photo shows Kees (left) when I visited him at Zaandam

I was privileged to work with Kees in 1967 when we filmed the birth process in the rabbit. He incorporated our work in a film (one of many) for Institut für den Wissenschaftligen Film in Göttingen.

Title page of Kees' most important publication
The Biology of Birth ISBN 3 490 04518 1

Most of Kees' publications were in German and his important book, co-authored with E. J. Slijper, is relatively unknown to anglophones. In addition to summarizing his own work it is an exceedingly valuable source for the older literature.

Kees was born 7 November 1934 and died 25 February 2020.