Animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, Oxfordshire, have been adorned with purple poppies to honor those who perished alongside soldiers in conflicts.
The park’s residents participated in launching the inaugural International War Animal Day, a remembrance event organized across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, and France.
Horses, donkeys, dogs, and pigeons were among the animals that played pivotal roles in battle.
To commemorate the day, people are encouraged to wear a purple poppy, light a purple candle, and fly the International War Animal flag.
Susan Osborne, co-founder of The War Horse Memorial in Ascot, Berkshire, emphasized the crucial contribution of animals in wartime: “Historians tell us that without animals, we wouldn’t have won the first or the second world wars, I know it sounds ridiculous to believe, but it’s so. Tens of millions of animals gave their lives, so that we might enjoy the freedom that we do today. They didn’t ask to go, but they served nonetheless and we didn’t thank them – it’s about time we did.”
Osborne visited the wildlife park to raise awareness for the new memorial day, which encourages the public to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 GMT on Saturday.
She is planning an event in Ascot by the War Horse Memorial statue, Poppy.
“There are animals still involved in war and conflict, we know mules are involved and dogs sniff out humans under rubble, we know lots of animals are abandoned too. So they are still suffering today, but when we call on them, they don’t let us down,” Osborne added.