Ryszard Zabinski

Ryszard Zabinski was the son of Warsaw Zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski. During the Holocaust, the family successfully hid 300 Jewish men, women, and children in their villa and in the zoo's animal cages and tunnels. Ryszard carried food to the 'guests' and performed a number of chores without ever inadvertently giving away the family's secret activities. For young Ryszard, life at the zoo was a childhood dream come true. It was also an adventure he would never forget. He shared space with sick or orphaned new-born animals. Ryszard long remembered all of the animals roaming freely throughout his home. The zoo he remembered prior to the war was filled with love. On October 30, 1968 a tree planting ceremony was held at Yad Vashem honoring Righteous Among the Nations. Ryszard's parents were among the honorees. Ryszard lived his entire life in Warsaw, Poland.