How Many Pets Died on the Titanic?
When the Titanic famously sank on April 15, 1912, there were not only human lives lost, but several pets were also on board and perished. The animals included birds, dogs, small pets, and even a lion cub.
The Birds
It is believed that many pet birds were on board, carried in cages by their owners. Unfortunately, most of these birds would not have survived the sinking, as it is not likely that the cages were left open for the birds to escape.
The Dogs
Nine dogs were reported to be on board the Titanic, mostly popular pets of the wealthy passengers on board. Reportedly, two of these dogs were Jack Russells owned by Mr & Mrs John Jacob Astor. Out of the nine, only three survived the sinking.
The Other Pets
A few small pets were aboard, including some hamsters, cats, and a marmoset monkey. Sadly, these little creatures all lost their lives in the disaster.
The Lion Cub
The most famous passenger on board was a lovable baby lion cub. The cub, named Simba, was owned by British businessman Charles Hays who, sadly, perished in the sinking. Simba, who was by some accounts just a few weeks old, was lost on the Titanic.
In conclusion, many pets’ lives were lost on the Titanic. The exact number is not known, but it is estimated to be in the double digits. Most of the known pet passengers were dogs, but a significant number of birds and small pets were also on board. Perhaps the most remarkable passenger of all was Simba, the baby lion cub, who sadly couldn’t survive the tragedy.
