Holocaust victim

Honouring Jan and Antonina Zabinski Heroes of the Polish Underground

When World War II broke out numerous parts of the Warsaw Zoo were destroyed - many of the animals perished while others were taken to Germany.

"Despite the enormous problems he faced as the director of a zoo, Dr. Jan Zabinski was not blind to the suffering of the Jewish members of Warsaw. When the Warsaw ghetto was established Jan and his wife, Antonina, began helping their Jewish friends. As an employee of the local municipality he was allowed to enter the Warsaw ghetto where he visited his Jewish acquaintances and helped them as best as he could. As the situation in the ghetto deteriorated, he offered them shelter and aid to escape Warsaw. Dr. Zabinski helped them escape, provided documents, looked for accommodations, and when necessary hid them at his villa or on the zoo’s grounds until a relocation to a safe place was possible" - Yad Vashem Remembrance Center

An active member of the Polish underground Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Zabinski participated in the Polish uprising in Warsaw of August and September 1944. Upon its suppression, he was taken as a prisoner to Germany. His wife continued his work, looking after the needs of some of the Jews left behind in the ruins of the city.

On September 21, 1965, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Zabinski and his wife, Antonina, as Righteous Among the Nations. On October 30, 1968 Dr. Jan Zabinski planted a tree on the Mount of Remembrance. Jan Zabinski passed away on July 26, 1974 at the age of 77.

Antonina published several children's books after the war. In 1968 she released a diary, People and Animals, with recollections of her activities during the World War II occupation. In 1970 her last book, Our House in the Zoo, about the Warsaw Zoo was released and adapted into the movie The Zookeeper's Wife in 2017. Antonina passed away on March 19, 1971 at the age of 62 years old. She lies in rest at Cmentarz Powązkowski (Powązki Cemetery) in Warsaw Poland next to her husband. Lest We Forget.

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