5 animals that made history
These animals have redefined the history of man with their services, bravery and dedication.
Ham, the astrochimp
Ham, born in July 1956, was about 3 years old when he was brought to Holloman Air Force Base in the US, in 1959. Known among the officials and handlers as No.65 and Chop Chop Chang, Ham boarded a Mercury capsule, with proper training to push a lever.
He was not merely a passenger. His space suit and level pushing performance helped him to return to earth after a space journey of 16 minutes and 39 seconds, with no more injury than a bruised nose. His flight led to the mission made by the spacecraft named Freedom 7, in May, 1961. He lived a happy life of 17 years, and died in 1983.
Dolly, the cloned sheep
She was the first mammal to be born from the cloning of a ewe’s mammary glands, on 5th July, 1996. She was cloned at the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, and was named after Dolly Parton, the American musician. Dolly died of progressive lung disease on 14th February, 2003.
Huberta, the exploring hippo
Huberta, initially mistaken as a male and named Hubert, embarked upon a journey from St Lucia to the Eastern Cape in November, 1928.
It was a 1600 km long journey, and it took her 3 years during which, she became a bit of a celebrity. During her course, she made a stop at the river mouth in Umhlanga, and then, after an attempt was made to capture her, headed towards Durban where she visited a country club and a beach. She then moved on to the Umgeni River and finally arrived in East London in 1931. She was declared the Royal Game, but a hunter managed to shoot her. She had crossed 122 riverss during her journey.
Balto, the sled dog
Balto was a sled dog of the Siberian Husky breed, born in 1919. In 1925, when there was a diphtheria outbreak in Nome in Alaska, the antitoxin to combat the disease was being transported from Anchorage in Alaska to Nenana by train. From there, dog sled was responsible for carrying the antitoxin to Nome.
Balto led his team on the final leg of this serum run to Nome. Thus, he helped save the lives of many with his service and leadership.
Sam, the unsinkable cat
Mr. Sam managed to survive 3 shipwrecks during the World War II.
His first survival was in May, 1941, from the war-ship, Bismarck. He was called Oskar, then, and he outlived 2000 crew members, only to be picked up by the British battleship, HMS Cossack, which was damaged in a torpedo that same year. Now named Oscar, the cat again survived this shipwreck that killed 159 men, and was brought to the shore of Gibraltar.
He had earned his fame as Unsinkable Sam by now, and he started to live on the HMS Ark Royal, which was also torpedoed. Luckily, the crew members were safe, and Sam was found, floating on a plank in an ‘angry but unharmed’ condition.
Ironically, he died in a seaman’s home in 1955.
Animals, in the hands of some heartless people, are subject to many oppressions and exploitations. But, there have been many other animals who have redefined the history of man with their services, bravery and dedication, soothed and entertained, and have forged a bond that no man can refute.
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Contact the Empangeni SPCA on 035 792 9129
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Source: Wonderlist
