We Are History Zoo Wars
Mar 15, 2021
Explore the quirky competition between East and West Berlin's zoos during the Cold War! Animals like pandas and hippos became surprising propaganda tools in this political battle. Hear about the heroic efforts of Katerina Heinroth in wartime and how each zoo tried to outshine the other with star attractions. Discover the fascinating impact of the Berlin Wall on zoo diplomacy and the unforgettable panda coup of the 1980s. This is a captivating tale of how creatures became symbols of national pride!
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Katarina Heinroth's Wartime Leadership
- Katerina Heinroth, a highly qualified zoologist forced into secretarial work, ran Berlin Zoo during WWII and the Soviet advance.
- She nursed the wounded, defended trees, and kept animals alive despite bombs, shortages, and sexual violence.
Zoos As Cold War Symbols
- Postwar Berlin's sector division made zoos symbols of political legitimacy and normality for each occupying power.
- The British-backed West Berlin zoo and Soviet-backed Tierpark competed to prove their system's superiority.
Building The Tierpark With Socialist Pageantry
- Heinrich Darta used mass volunteer mobilization and civic rituals to build the Tierpark quickly and publicly.
- The GDR staged volunteer drives, youth collections, and badges to manufacture popular enthusiasm for the zoo.