Born in 1942, and dying in 1963, Wojtek (“Voy-Teck”) was the name given to a Syrian brown bear-cub discovered by Polish soldiers in Iran, who had been released from Soviet gulags after Germany invaded Russia in 1941. The soldiers of the Polish II Corps raised Wojtek as their unit mascot, but their commanding officer refused to let the troops have a bear – or any other animal – as a mascot! So instead, the troops pulled a fast one, and enlisted Wojtek as a private in their unit.

And thus began Private Wojtek’s career in the Polish Army.

Wojtek the Bear

Wojtek was a popular mascot, and he spent so much time with the soldiers that he started copying their every move. He learned how to drink coffee, drink beer, smoke, march, and even salute!

In their spare time, the soldiers would wrestle with Wojtek…which was no mean feat, because before long, Wojtek was 5’9″, and over 200lbs! As he grew more and more attached to the men, the soldiers assigned one of the men to be the bear’s personal minder.

Wojtek wrestling with a Polish soldier

During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek observed his fellow Poles carrying crates of artillery-shells to the front for their artillery officers to load into their guns and mortars. Like with everything else, Wojtek started copying this behaviour, too, and easily carried the 100lb crates of shells to the front line.

After WWII, Wojtek lived out his life in Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, where he became a bit of a star with the locals, and with soldiers from his former unit, who would drop by to visit. As a result of his activity, the Polish 22nd Artillery Supply Company changed their unit badge to depict an image of Wojtek carrying an artillery shell.