Visitor in the Zoo

The broad-backed Hippopotamus Rests on his belly in the mud; Although he seems so firm to us He is merely flesh and blood . . .

The Russians, although not usually inclined to be sympathetic with the frailties of man or hippopotamus, have come to share this insight of Poet T. S. Eliot. As a result, the world last week was the richer by one of the rare instances of East-West cooperation in years, and may soon be richer by one baby hippopotamus.

Knautschke, a resident of the Berlin Zoo, is a fine, broad-backed figure of a hippo, but he was lonely until his helpers discovered a mate for him: a female hippo in the Leipzig Zoo, named Crete. There was one hitch: Leipzig is in Germany's Russian zone.

Discreet East-West negotiations were begun. The Russian zone authorities found it in their hearts to let Crete go to Berlin. For 383 hours, Knautschke and Crete were kept in adjoining cages, permitted only to engage in some sedate nose-rubbing. Then they were allowed to meet at closer quarters. When Crete goes back to Leipzig, the Russian zone will get her baby, but another Leipzig female may be coming up for Knautschke.

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