Wojtek The Bear

This is a statue of Wojtek, an orphaned brown bear adopted by Polish Soldiers in 1942 (under command of the British) as they passed through Iran. Did I even know that, no!

Wojtek grew up amongst them, play fighting, drinking bear and smoking cigarettes and was officially drafted into their army as a Private, given his own pay book, rank and serial number so he could stay with them.

As he was untroubled by gunfire... he helped carry ammunition during fierce battles. After the war, like many other Polish people, Wojtek settled in Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963.

Wow... what a story. Surely that took your mind off Brexit for a few minutes?