Illustration of an alligator.

-

Linda Saayman

Saturn, the alligator that escaped the bombing of Berlin during WWII, died of old age last May.

A Russian museum announced last week that it had been stuffed and will now be on display in Moscow.

The animal was born in the United States in 1936 and was transferred to the Zoological Garden in Berlin, Germany, a few years before the outbreak of the deadliest conflict in history.

In November 1943, the Germanic capital had been the scene of several bombings, which had notably affected the zoo.

The alligator, Saturn, died in May and the reptile's skin was donated to the Moscow 'Darwin Museum.

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- The Current (@TheCurrentPK) December 15, 2020

He survives the destruction of the aquarium

Between 20 and 30 alligators and crocodiles had perished during the destruction of the aquarium, but Saturn had managed to escape.

For three years it had remained untraceable, including during the famous battle of Berlin.

It was finally found by British soldiers in 1946. The latter had entrusted it to the Soviet authorities, who gathered the animals that had survived the war in Leipzig.

The crocodilian was then transferred to the Moscow zoo.

He died there at the age of 84.

A little patience before visiting him

His fame was due to his incredible escape, but also to rumors claiming that he belonged to Adolph Hitler himself.

The Darwin Museum, a Muscovite establishment specializing in natural history, has therefore decided to keep it.

As early as June, a special product had been applied to the scales of Saturn and a dedicated foam structure had been created.

After “six months of work”, the taxidermists have finally completed their work.

To observe the fantastic alligator, however, you will have to wait a little longer.

Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Russian museums are not expected to reopen until mid-January.

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  • Berlin

  • Alligator

  • Second World War

  • Russia

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