Polish soldiers marching from Iran to Palestine met a Persian boy carrying a baby Syrian brown bear on 8 April 1942. The bear's mother had most likely been shot by hunters. The bear spent the following three months under 18-year-old Inka Bokiewicz’s care in a refugee camp near Tehran. In August 1942, the bear was donated to the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. Lieutenant J. Florczykowski brought Wojtek to the camp. Corporal Piotr Prendysz named him Wojtek and was his handler. He was officially enlisted in the records of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, and he served the entire route: from Iran through Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt to Italy, and finally to Great Britain.

 

The bear ate with the soldiers and slept with them in a tent. When he grew up, he was given his own bedroom in a large wooden box, but he didn't like it and often went to cuddle with the soldiers in the tent. He was a gentle animal, having complete trust in people.

 

One day Wojtek, watching his men friends, discovered that he can be useful and became a tireless transporter of big crates full of artillery shells: he would carry them using his front paws, charging and then discharging the trucks of the 22nd Company. "Wojtek was a continuous source of affection and joy, he was our true friend. Every time we came back from the frontline he played with us, and after each action he kept us company'', veteran Wojciech Narbski said.

 

He carried ammunition boxes and pulled a supply cart during the Battle of Monte Cassino. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal for his services to the Polish Army. His help in the field led to his becoming the symbol of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. An official badge featuring a bear carrying an artillery shell in its paws was introduced. After the end of the war, Wojtek was transported to Scotland along with the Polish soldiers.

 

He lived in the army camp in Berwickshire after the war and then with Edward the Polish Electrician at the local shipyard. On 15 November 1947, Wojtek the bear was moved the Edinburgh Zoo, Years of living among humans did not allow him to adapt to living among other bears. He only livened up when Polish veterans came to visit him – his ears perked up as soon as he heard the Polish language. Wojtek spent 16 years in the Scottish zoo until his death in 1963, at the age of 21years.

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