Israel’s Embassy in Poland Adopts Bison Named 'Zubriel' as Symbolic Diplomatic Gesture

The Israeli Embassy in Poland has adopted a bison at the Warsaw Zoo for one year, funding its care and maintenance while giving it a uniquely Israeli nickname: Zubriel. This initiative goes beyond a typical sponsorship, blending Polish and Israeli cultural elements. The bison, known in Polish as "Żubr," is a prominent symbol of Polish nature, and the embassy combined this with a common Israeli name suffix to create "Zubriel."

The adoption also honors the historical connection to the Warsaw Zoo, whose legendary director Jan Żabiński and his wife Antonina saved Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them in the zoo and their home. Żabiński was also a researcher of the bison species. Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yaakov Finkelstein described the move as a tribute to the zoo, its heroic director, and the city of Warsaw, which hosts diplomats including Israelis.

As part of the adoption, the embassy will cover the bison’s upkeep costs for a year and has placed a sign near its enclosure acknowledging the sponsorship. Ambassador Finkelstein unveiled the plaque marking the adoption. The bison, Zubriel, thus becomes an unofficial diplomatic representative symbolizing the ties between Israel and Poland, albeit one unlikely to attend diplomatic events unless fresh grass is served.

This symbolic act highlights cultural diplomacy and historical remembrance, reinforcing the bond between the two nations through a living emblem at the Warsaw Zoo.