Bertha Walt

1: Chang II (fatal attack)

1. 1944-11: visitor Bertha Walt fatal attack by Chang II. Then on a stormy November morning three years ago, zoo keepers saw blood on the floor of the pit. In Chang's straw bed they found a bloodied human hand and toe. The horrified keepers and police learned the unbelievable truth. Chang had devoured a young woman; he had swallowed her clothes, her hat, and even her large handbag. Bertha Walt † Bertha Walt Died 1944-11

1944-11: Then on a stormy November morning three years ago, zoo keepers saw blood on the floor of the pit. In Chang's straw bed they found a bloodied human hand and toe.

The horrified keepers and police learned the unbelievable truth. Chang had devoured a young woman; he had swallowed her clothes, her hat, and even her large handbag.*

Police identified the woman as Bertha Walt, a pretty young Zurich office worker. The night before she had carried some bread away from the dinner table, and apparently went to the zoo to feed Chang. There was a keeper's door in the wall at the back of the elephant pit through which she could have entered. To a friend she had said: "I often find animals kinder than people."

The zoo management wanted to kill Chang, but Keeper Rietmann pleaded for mercy. Chang was spared.