Animal Memorials Around The World

PAUL THE OCTOPUS MEMORIAL 

Where: Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany

In Loving Memory: Paul quickly became a 2010 celebrity after successfully predicting several World Cup Soccer matches. Sports fans became so enamored with the octopus's predictions, they began betting on Paul's picks. Sadly, Paul died shortly after the World Cup ended. Football fanatics demanded a permanent memorial in the expert's honor. (Daily Mail)

TRIM THE SHIP CAT 

Where: Mitchell Library in Sydney, Australia 

In Loving Memory: A small kitten named Trim won the love and praise of famous Australian navigator Matthew Flinders, after the feline fell off a ship but was able to swim and climb back on the boat. Flinders made the cat his prized pet, taking him on every voyage, until Trim's disappearance. Now, the world-traveling cat can be found in statue form only a few feet away from a memorial for his famous owner. (SMH)

THE SACRED COW

Where: The Peace Abbey at Sherborn, Mass.

In Loving Memory: The Peace Abbey installed this memorial to acknowledge all the animals that have suffered injustices at the hands of humans. It is meant as a marker for the increased efforts to form a more respectful relationship with all of Earth's creatures. (The Peace Abbey)

HACHIKO STATUE

Where:  Shibuya Train Station in Tokyo, Japan

In Loving Memory: Hachiko the Akita took loyalty to a whole other level. The dog would patiently wait at the train station for his owner to return from work every day and continued to do so even after his owner died. Hachiko became a familiar sight to many commuters and they decided to erect a statue to honor the dog's devotion. Today, the statue is a popular meeting place for travelers. (Fabulous Travel)

OPO THE DOLPHIN

Where: Opononi, New Zealand 

In Loving Memory: Bottlenose dolphin Opo quickly caught the attention of the small New Zealand town, Opononi, when she decided to stay by the harbor and play with children. Opo had lost her mother in an accident and adopted the townspeople as her new family. After Opo died, she was buried and a memorial was put in place to preserve the playful animal's spirit. (The Northern Advocate)

ANDRE THE SEAL 

Where: Rockport, Maine

In Loving Memory: Andre the seal was adopted as a pup by Rockport local Harry Goodridge. As Andre grew older and larger, Goodridge decided to donate the seal to the New England Aquarium. When the aquarium released Andre in the summer, the seal swam the 150 miles back to Rockport and continued to do so every summer while on vacation from the aquarium, becoming quite the local celebrity. (Camden Maine Vacation)

ANIMALS IN WAR MEMORIAL 

Where: London, England

In Loving Memory: This stunning memorial was unveiled in November 2004 on the 90th anniversary of the start of World War I. The piece was created to honor all animals who sacrificed their lives and worked for the British Commonwealth in the 20th century. (Animals In War Fund)

BALTO MEMORIAL

Where: Central Park in New York, N.Y.

In Loving Memory: Balto is a true hero hound. In 1925, Nome, Alaska was hit with a diphtheria outbreak and did not have enough medicine to treat everyone. A brave pack of sled dogs, led by Balto, drove 674 miles through a blizzard to deliver much-needed medicine in time to save many sick people. (Central Park Conservatory)

CARRIER PIGEON COMMEMORATION STATUE

Where: Yasukuni Shrine, Japan

In Loving Memory: This statue honors all the homing pigeons that aided the country during its war efforts. Opened bottles of water are often left at the base of the statue in tribute to the animals. (Yaksukuni)

ROMEO THE KILLER ELEPHANT

Where: Delavan, Wis.

In Loving Memory: Romeo got a reputation in the circus community for being one mean animal. The elephant escaped several times, killing a few individuals. His handlers supposedly said that he was acting out of grief over the death of his female companion Juliet, but his aggression was more likely a reflection of circus conditions in those times. (Roadside America)