180 years of Zoo Berlin: Knautschke

The Second World War rages in Berlin. The zoo is also affected. Much is destroyed in air raids. All but 91 animals die. One survivor: Knautschke the hippopotamus. The water basin is destroyed. The zookeepers douse Knautschke with water several times a day. Many Berliners donate food, although they have little left themselves. Knautschke was very popular.

After the war, Knautschke provided for numerous offspring. In 1988, he suffered serious injuries after a fight with his son Nante and was euthanized.

Even today, a bronze statue in front of "Hippo Bay" commemorates the famous hippopotamus. Knautschke is and remains a crowd-puller - whether in life or as a statue.

Would you like to find out more about the animal icons, historic places and exciting personalities of Zoo Berlin? Over the next few weeks, we will be taking you on a short journey through time. Every week until the zoo's official birthday at the beginning of August, you can look forward to a short article with exciting facts from the last 180 years.