There have been many animals throughout the course of history that have gained fame for something outstanding. From loyal companions who played pivotal roles in wartime, to genius animals who pushed the boundaries of science and exploration, these are the creatures who’ve proven that history isn’t just made by humans.
In this blog, we discuss animal legends whose stories are as diverse and inspiring as they are unforgettable. These famous animals remind us that greatness comes in all forms, and sometimes, the most profound impacts come from our furry, feathered, and finned friends. Dive in with us and discover how these remarkable beings have not only touched lives but have also changed the course of history.
Dolly the Sheep
Dolly completely changed the game for the scientific community in regard to cloning. She was born in July 1996, and was the first mammal ever created from an adult cell, which was believed to be impossible. Though her existence wasn’t announced until the following year. Dolly’s successful cloning led to the creation of animals for human organ donations or “therapeutic” cloning, in which scientists could use stem cells from cloned embryos to create treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s. After Dolly, other animals like pigs, sheep, deer, horses, and dogs have all been successfully cloned.
Laika the First Dog in Space
Laika, a stray dog found in Moscow, was the first living creature to orbit earth when she flew aboard Sputnik in 1957. Unfortunately, back then, not much was known about the effects of space on animals, and there was no means to return Laika back to Earth. Laika’s sad fate earned her worldwide concern and sympathy, and she is still celebrated today for her contributions to space exploration, including a statue in her honor in Moscow.
Balto
When an outbreak of diphtheria happened in the Alaskan town of Nome in 1925, their only chance of survival was to get medicine from Anchorage. With the severe winter conditions, it was a journey that could only have been completed by dog sled. The distance was too great for just one sled to cover without stops. As time was of the essence, a relay of several dog sleds was deployed. The final stretch was led by Balto, who took his team through 54 miles of blizzard in temperatures of -40°F. They completed their mission successfully, and Balto was named a national hero. Today, you can find his statue in NYC Central Park.
Cher Ami the Pigeon
During World War I, a homing pigeon named Cher Ami was a dear friend to the American troops. Cher Ami delivered 12 messages during her service, but none were more important than the message she delivered in early October 1918 that saved the lives of over 500 US troops. Cher Ami flew 25 miles in 25 minutes, was shot at, blinded, and lost a leg, but never stopped until the message was delivered. For her heroic act, she received the French Cross of War.
Elsa the Lioness
In 1956, George Adamson, a game warden in Kenya, and his wife Joy adopted a small lion cub they named Elsa. For years, the Adamsons raised and cared for Elsa at their home in Africa, teaching her to hunt on her own and develop the abilities to survive in the wild. Eventually, the couple released Elsa and, surprisingly, she survived. In 1960, Joy wrote a non-fiction book, Born Free, about the experience of raising Elsa. Six years later, a movie based on the book was released to wide acclaim and is credited with promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.
Buddy the First Seeing Eye Dog in the US
In November 1927, a dog trainer named Dorothy Harrison Eustis invited a blind man, Morris Frank, to her kennel in Switzerland where she bred and trained German Shepherds for military and police use.There, Morris was partnered with a female German Shepherd named Buddy. After they underwent intensive seeing eye dog training together, Frank brought Buddy to the United States in June 1928 and immediately began campaigning about the advantages of using an assistance dog. He famously demonstrated Buddy’s skills to reporters by having her lead him safely across two of Manhattan’s busiest and most dangerous streets. The rest is history!
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