Warsaw Antonina

Before the occupation of Warsaw Antonina and her husband created a menagerie that they both cared about just as much as if these animals were their own children. In fact these animals were treated like human beings with some allowed to wander around Antonina and Jan’s home even using the bathroom facilities like people do. Antonina cared for these animals with her whole heart. She was curious about them and sought to know as much as she could. She was concerned about their health and safety and she was concerned for their happiness and comfort. Once the occupation was in full swing Antonina would take on several roles to ensure the survival of her family and the many others she took in. She would have to be an inn keeper, a diligent watchman, and con artist. When Warsaw surrenders to the Nazi’s they become occupied and life becomes a challenge for survival for people and for the animals at the zoo. First the best zoo animals are
Her actions, behaviors, and responses to Nazi inquisition was nothing short of brilliant. Her guests at the zoo were code named after the animal enclosures in which they were staying so they could refer to them directly in front of a Nazi soldier and they would be none the wiser. It made life difficult but Antonina changed her habits to portray that it was all business as usual to the Nazi’s, for instance she would shop for food every day and purchase small amounts so she didn’t look suspicious because she had a lot of people to feed. She had several interactions with Nazis and stayed calm and composed with each exchange, even a very dangerous interaction where a fire was being investigated near the zoo. Since her husband was part of the resistance and she didn’t want any further suspicions she calmly told the Nazi that it was most likely one of his soldiers cuddling up with a girl in the hay stack and left a lit