Abstract

The Leningrad blockade during World War II is still alive in the collective Russian memory. Almost every Russian over 30 has heard about the Nazi siege from eyewitnesses. For 900 days and nights of cold, hunger, misery, and death, 3 million inhabitants struggled to survive by hard work, courage, and hope. Almost half died, many from starvation and exposure.

One symbol of peace and hope during these difficult times was the Leningrad Zoo. It survived due to the heroism of 18 people who lived and worked at the Zoo, making every possible effort to save the zoo animals. With no electricity, heat, or running water, and little food for the animals or the keepers, these 18 people managed to care for 237 animals. Unfortunately, less than half of these animals survived. Bombing and artillery assaults were the most common causes of animals’ deaths. Two bombardments alone in September 1941 killed 70 animals. This poster commemorates those people who cared for and saved so many animals, including our hippopotamus named “Beauty,” a griffon-vulture, antelope, and others. By saving these animals they saved the Leningrad Zoo, and demonstrated that people could remain human, even while struggling to survive in the most inhumane conditions of hunger, deprivation, and conflict. Today, with so many zoos around the world suffering the ravages of war, we can take inspiration from this epic story.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge E. Popova, the Leningrad Zoo librarian, for providing all the archive materials to study and for allowing us to duplicate photos for this presentation.