'The Zookeper's Wife' trivia and fun facts

Diane Ackerman

Diane Ackerman's non-fiction book was greatly inspired by the unpublished diary of Antonina Zabinska and Jan Zabinski, the director of the Warsaw Zoo in Poland.

Lion baby cubs

Real-life lion baby cubs were used on set.

Special Effects

All the animals you see are real, there is no CGI use.

Learning german

In-between takes, Jessica Chastain claims she was taught "the nastiest German" swear-words by co-star Daniel Brühl.

Warsaw Zoo's Origins

The current Warsaw Zoo opened on 11 March 1928. However, its roots can be traced to 17th century private menageries.