The world is marking a day of remembrance for animals that have died in wars

Every year on 11 November, coinciding with the international Day of Remembrance for those who fell in the First World War, the world observes Animals in War Remembrance Day. This day is dedicated to the millions of horses, dogs, carrier pigeons, mules and other animals that died during armed conflicts, either whilst serving alongside humans or as silent victims of the destruction of ecosystems.

The symbol used to honour the memory of service and wild animals is the purple poppy (Purple Poppy), which was launched in 2006 by the British charity Animal Aid and has since been supported by many international animal welfare organisations.

The role of animals in military operations and the scale of losses

Throughout human history, animals have played a key role in logistics, reconnaissance and communications during armed conflicts. They carried out the hardest work in situations where machinery was powerless.

Historical evidence points to the enormous scale of the use of animals:

• The First World War: according to historians’ estimates, more than 8 million horses, mules and donkeys were used in the conflict to transport weapons and ammunition, most of which perished as a result of shelling, exhaustion and harsh weather conditions.
• Service dogs: over 100,000 dogs served as bomb-detection dogs, messengers, medics and sentries, saving the lives of thousands of wounded soldiers.
• Carrier pigeons: around 200,000 pigeons were used to deliver critical messages across the front line when the telegraph lines had been cut.

Current challenges and the plight of animals during the war in Ukraine

Today, the issue of animal welfare during wartime is extremely relevant for Ukraine. Full-scale military aggression has led to a massive tragedy for pets, farm animals and wildlife:

Death in an active combat zone

Thousands of pets and livestock have died as a result of rocket and artillery attacks and the destruction of shelters and farms.

The destruction of protected ecosystems

Combat operations, the laying of landmines and flooding caused by the destruction of hydraulic structures have led to the mass death of rare species of wildlife, in particular mammals in the Black Sea and in nature reserves in southern Ukraine.

Service dogs on duty

Today’s service dogs from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service and the National Guard risk their lives every day whilst clearing minefields, searching for people trapped under rubble and guarding facilities.

The Day of Remembrance for Animals Victimised by War serves as a reminder to society of humanity’s humanitarian duty to care for our ‘smaller brothers’, ensuring their evacuation, protection and medical care even during the most trying times of armed conflict.

Read more news on GreenPost.