During World War II, a unit of Polish soldiers stationed in Iran bought a Syrian brown bear cub from a local boy for a few coins. They named him Wojtek, and he grew up with the unit, learning to carry artillery shells, drink beer, and smoke cigarettes. When the unit was shipped to Italy, the British refused to allow animals on the transport. The Poles solved this by officially enlisting Wojtek as a private in the Polish Army, complete with name, rank, and serial number. He served at the Battle of Monte Cassino, carrying crates of ammunition to the guns, and was promoted to corporal. After the war, he retired to Edinburgh Zoo, where former soldiers would visit him and toss him cigarettes over the fence.