Join us Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. for a Legacy Lecture by Dr. John M. Kinder about his book World War Zoos: Humans and Other Animals in the Deadliest Conflict of the Modern Age. A book signing and reception will follow the presentation.
The Nonhuman Cost of Conflict
As Europe plunged into World War II, zoo animals were among the first casualties. From Warsaw and London to Berlin, Rome, and Tokyo, zookeepers preemptively killed predators and “nonessential” species, fearing bomb damage, food shortages, and public panic if dangerous animals escaped into shattered cities. In World War Zoos, historian John. M. Kinder uncovers how zoos navigated the Great Depression, wartime bombardment, occupation, and the uncertainties of the early Cold War while confronting wrenching ethical questions: Which animals should live or die? What did captivity mean in a world of mass imprisonment, displacement, and genocide?
Drawing on vivid case studies and rich archival material, Kinder shows how wartime zoos mirrored human vulnerability, powerlessness, and resilience, and how they became spaces where civilians thought about survival, sacrifice, and responsibility across species lines. This harrowing yet surprisingly uplifting history invites us to rethink what was at stake inside the cages as the deadliest conflict of the twentieth century raged outside. It is ideal for anyone interested in animals, warfare, ethics, and the unexpected ways cultural institutions endure in crisis.
How can I attend?
The event is free to the public, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, or for more information about the event, contact [email protected] or call 540.463.7103, ext. 138.
How can I watch from home?
The presentation will also be livestreamed on the Marshall Foundation YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2Or0E8D) simultaneously. Viewers of the stream are encouraged to write questions using the live video chat (to the lower right of the video) or via email at [email protected]. Chat will be monitored for abusive comments.
Who is John M. Kinder?
Dr. John M. Kinder is director of American Studies and professor of history at Oklahoma State University. He is the author of Paying with Their Bodies: American War and the Problem of the Disabled Veteran, published by the University of Chicago Press, and coeditor of Service Denied: Marginalized Veterans in Modern American History.
The George C. Marshall Foundation Legacy Series is sponsored by:
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation; Edward Jones; CornerStone Bank; Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club; Raymond James