Cotswold Wildlife Park marks War Animal Day with purple poppies
Cotswold Wildlife Park animals show their support with purple poppies for International War Animal Day on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Last year, Cotswold Wildlife Park proudly launched the inaugural International War Animal Day – a day dedicated to acknowledging and paying tribute to the crucial role animals have played in conflicts. This year, animals at the Park once again showed their support with hand-knitted poppies made by gardener Mandy Hicks. Mandy spent over 100 hours knitting 100 purple poppies for a special blanket which adorned the Park's oldest resident, 89-year-old Giant Tortoise George (pictured above), who was born just before WW2. Bactrian Camel Petra also wore the purple poppy blanket across her humps where saddles would have been worn during the war to transport injured soldiers.
This year, Alan Carr MBE, co-founder of the War Horse Memorial which is spearheading International War Animal Day for the UK, said:
“This is such a special treat to be invited back to Cotswold Wildlife Park to mark again this important day when we remember the service and sacrifice of millions of animals during numerous wars and conflicts. Last year, it was George the 89-year-old Giant Tortoise who led the tributes wearing a giant cap of poppies on his huge shell. This year it will be the turn of Petra the Bactrian Camel (pictured right) to take centre stage as she wears Mandy’s poppies over her hump to signify the contribution that camels played, particularly in both world wars. For example, in desert conditions, camels played a vital role. They could be fitted with gear to transport casualties to aid posts or field hospitals. Camels were also used in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Their ability to carry heavy loads and go without water made them an ideal mode of transport in hot climates.”
Alan adds:
“The focus of remembrance will then turn to Ascot, Berkshire, home of Poppy, our War Horse, a national memorial dedicated to the millions of UK, Commonwealth and Allied horses, mules, and donkeys lost during the Great War. At 11am on Monday, February 24 we will lay our wreath, fly our flag and light a candle, and we hope many other animal lovers across the UK will join us in this simple act of remembrance.”
International War Animal Day will be honoured in Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, France, and the UK as we remember the sacrifice of tens of millions of animals who served – and continue to serve – alongside soldiers, to give us the freedom we all enjoy today. Animal and service organisations in six countries have come together to seek long overdue recognition for the part that animals have played in countless wars and conflicts.
For example, over 16 million animals served in the First World War alone. They were used for transport, communication, and companionship. Horse and camel-mounted troops were used in the desert campaigns throughout the conflict. Horses, donkeys, mules, and camels carried food, water, ammunition, and medical supplies to soldiers at the Front, and dogs and pigeons carried messages. Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas, and cats and dogs were trained to hunt rats in the trenches. They didn’t volunteer but were taken from their farms, homes, and from the streets to fuel the War effort. Few returned.
A spokesperson from Cotswold Wildlife Park said:
“It was incredibly moving to be involved in International War Animal Day for the second year. We’ve proudly supported the War Horse Memorial for many years now and we must never forget the sacrifice millions of animals made during wartime. To be involved is such an honour.”
For more information on International War Animal Day, please visit the War Horse Memorial website: www.warhorsememorial.org
Explore Gloucestershire
22 February 2025
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