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The Zookeeper'S Wife

What is the zookeeper's wife?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Book 2007 non-fiction book by Diane Ackerman[3]
Film 2017 war drama film[4]
Subjects Antonina Żabińska and Jan Żabiński[2]
Place Warsaw Zoo[2]
Historical period World War II[2]
Claimed rescue count 300 Jews[3]

The Zookeeper’s Wife is a 2007 non-fiction book by Diane Ackerman about Antonina and Jan Żabiński, who ran the Warsaw Zoo and hid Jews during World War II [3]. The title also refers to the 2017 film based on that book [4].

Context

The Zookeeper’s Wife refers to both a 2007 non-fiction book and a 2017 film [3]. The story centres on Antonina and Jan Żabiński, who ran the Warsaw Zoo and hid Jews during World War II [2]. The book is by Diane Ackerman, and the film is based on it [4]. The couple reportedly saved around 300 Jews [3].

Documented claims

  • The book recounts how Antonina and Jan Żabiński saved Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto. [2]
  • The film is based on Diane Ackerman’s 2007 non-fiction book. [4]
  • Antonina Żabińska is described as the zookeeper’s wife. [1]

Questions and answers

Is the zookeeper's wife based on a true story?

Yes, it is based on the true story of Antonina and Jan Żabiński, who ran the Warsaw Zoo and hid Jews during World War II [2].

How many Jews did the zookeeper's wife save?

The Żabińskis are claimed to have saved around 300 Jews [3].

Does the zookeeper's wife have a happy ending?

The film tells how the couple rescued hundreds of Polish Jews by hiding them in the Warsaw zoo [4].

Sources

  1. The Zookeeper's Wife Summary - SuperSummary — supersummary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Antonina Żabińska — shmoop.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) — imdb.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Why We'll Be in Line to See The Zookeeper's Wife — thegritandgraceproject.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Culture