People make news for a lot of reasons ranging from the trivial to honourable. But when animals become famous it is always for the way they impact the human race with their bravery, loyalty, perseverance, talent, tragedy and at times with their antics. Here are a few celeb animals from India and across the world who will continue to amaze us with their life’s stories…
Local stars
Chetak: This Marwari breed horse was the one Maharana Pratap, the Rajput ruler of Mewar, rode during the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. The horse has been immortalised in history because despite being fatally injured in the war, he carried Rana Pratap away from the battlefield to safety for over two miles, where after ensuring his master’s safety, he breathed his last. The memorial stone and tomb can be found in a village in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan where Chetak died. Besides, Maharana Pratap National Memorial has a bronze statue of Rana Pratap astride Chetak.
B2: This 14-year-old tiger at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, is touted to be one of the most photographed tigers in the world. Born of star father Charger and mother Mohini, B2 was the dominant one of the litter and fought his father to take over the reigns of the territory. B2 ruled Bandhavgarh till 2009, when another younger male made its entry into the territory. By 2010, B2 had left Bandhavgarh forest and died of old age last November.
Broken Tail: This tiger belonging to the Ranthambore National Park was the subject of an award-winning documentary shot by Colin Stafford-Johnson who spent almost 600 days filming the tiger cub with his family. What makes Broken Tail’s story unforgettable and tragic at the same time is the fact that he disappeared from the sanctuary suddenly and went on the run through farmlands and scrubs. Three-year-old Broken Tail was eventually found dead, run over by a train in 2003, 200 km away from the national park.
Gajarajan Kesavan: This celebrated elephant in Kerala was donated to the Guruvayur temple by the royal family of Nilambur in 1916. He endeared himself to all with his devotion and good behaviour. This 11.5 foot-tall pachyderm would allow only the person with the thidambu of the temple to mount him. At the ripe old age of 72, Kesavan died on the auspicious Guruvayur Ekadasi, after fasting through the day. He has inspired a movie and TV series too. A life-size statue has been erected by the temple in his memory and he was honoured with the title “Gajarajan” meaning Elephant King.
Across the globe
Fala: This famous black Scottish terrier belonged to the U.S. President Franklin D.Roosevelt. Originally named “Big Boy,” he was rechristened “Murray the Outlaw of Falahill” by its master which was shortened to Fala. This presidential pooch accompanied its master everywhere and became a part of the American President’s public image. He spawned such a fan-following that he would receive fan mails and a special person had to be appointed to answer them. Seven years after his master’s death, devastated Fala breathed his last in 1952 and was buried alongside President Roosevelt. Fala is the only presidential pet to have a statue dedicated to it at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Dolly: Code named 6LL3, this female sheep made global headlines in 1997 as the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. Dubbed by the media as the “world’s most famous sheep”, Dolly also was the centre of an international debate on its creation. Cloned at the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, she led a normal life. Unfortunately, Dolly had to be put to rest because of a progressive lung disease and severe arthritis. Dolly’s remains is on display in the Connect Gallery, National Museum of Scotland.
Hachiko: This Japanese Akita breed dog is famous around the world for its steadfast loyalty to its master even inspiring a Hollywood movie “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” starring actor Richard Gere. Born in 1923, Hachiko was raised by college professor Hidesamuro Ueno since 1924. Everyday Hachiko would stand by the door to see off his master and at four in the evening would go to the Shibuya railway station to receive him. One day in May 1925, Professor Ueno did not return. He had passed away at the university having suffered a cerebral haemorrhage. Hachiko continued the routine every day for the next nine years waiting for its master at the station. News articles and write ups about the faithful dog made Hachiko a national figure and people would gift him food and treats. When This Japanese symbol of loyalty has bronze statues erected in his honour at Shibuya Station and his hometown. At the station, the spot where he would wait is marked with bronze paw prints.
Alex: At a time when the scientific community was debating if any other species could develop the ability to handle and understand human language, this African Grey Parrot proved them it was possible .The experimental subject of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg, Alex’s vocabulary had 150 words and even knew what the words meant. He awed the world with his understanding of concepts like bigger and smaller and could even express emotions like anger, frustration and boredom. Since the species has a lifespan of 60 years, Alex’s sudden death at the age of 31 in 2007 came as a shock to the entire world that had been following its achievements with awe. Irene Pepperberg recounted her experience with Alex in a memoir titled Alex and Me.
Also famous…
Raja: This elephant which lived between 1950 and 1987 was declared as Sri Lanka’s national treasure by the government. The stuffed remains of this tusker who carried the casket of tooth relic at the Esala Perahera in Kandy, can be seen at the Temple of the Tooth.
Wang Cai: Known as the Chinese version of Hachiko, this Chongqing dog’s video of waiting outside the doors of a local bank from 9am until 5pm, close to where its master works, has gone viral.
Knut: He was the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in more than 30 years. The fact that he was rejected by his mother and raised by a zookeeper endeared him to all, thus capturing the world’s attention. He even has a website dedicated to him:
Paul: This octopus that lived at the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, shot to fame during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, for his accurate prediction of the games’ outcome.
Happy Feet: The sight of an Emperor penguin on a beach in New Zealand, thousands of miles from home attracted global interest and attention, and so did his rehabilitation and release. He continues to attract interest as experts debate if the transmitting device attached to him went silent because he was eaten up by a predator or if it simply fell off.
Heidi: The cross-eyed Opossum —“she had three times as many Facebook fans as German Chancellor Angela Merkel” — was made famous by a photograph of her published in a local newspaper. She is the inspiration behind a popular YouTube song and an upcoming line of stuffed animals.
