How a female hippo survived the Siege of Leningrad

World War II was a severe ordeal not only for Leningrad's (now St. Petersburg) citizens, but also for the inhabitants of the local zoo. The animals suffered from hunger and cold, experienced constant stress from shelling and died from bombs.

Part of the zoo was evacuated to the rear before the enemy encircled Leningrad in September 1941. However, many animals remained and, among them, was 'Krasavitsa' ('Bea