Parachuting animals

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People have used parachutes with animals for a long time. At first, balloons carried animals up and some were released to test parachutes or to entertain crowds. Over the years, dogs, cats, birds, sheep, and other animals rode parachutes from balloons and later from airplanes. Some drops were demonstrations, some were tests, and some were meant to help people by delivering animals or supplies.

Early tests and shows
- In 1783, a duck, a rooster, and a sheep rode in a balloon and descended by parachute for about eight minutes in Versailles.
- In the next years, parachuting tests included a cat and a dog from a tower in France. People tried many different animals, including birds, as scientists and showmen learned how parachutes worked.
- Throughout the 1800s, balloonists and Aeronauts kept dropping dogs, cats, and other animals to show parachutes could be used safely. There were many acts with monkeys and other animals as well.

Animals on stages and in shows
- Parachuting acts with animals were popular in theaters and music halls. Monkeys, dogs, and cats would jump from roofs or balloons in front of crowds. Some famous performers, like the Monkey Baldwin in London, did many drops.
- Not all drops were successful or safe, and some animals were injured or killed. Despite this, such acts continued for several decades before animal welfare concerns reduced them.

Animals in war and work
- In World War II, dogs served as paradogs. They helped guard, carry messages, and even look for mines. Some paradogs survived dangerous jumps, while others did not.
- The military also tested parachuting mules and other animals to bring supplies to troops. Some drops were dangerous, and many mules did not land safely.
- The U.S. even tried a bat bomb idea that would drop bats with tiny timed bombs to start fires in cities.

Space and science
- Animals were sent into space as tests. Some capsules used parachutes to return safely to Earth. One famous example was a monkey named Albert II, who became the first mammal in space in 1949 but died when the parachute failed on return. Other tests involved bears and chimpanzees in different kinds of parachute drops during early space research.
- In Idaho, beavers were parachuted to new homes to help move them away from human areas. This relocation program showed parachutes could be a practical tool in wildlife management.

Modern uses and safety
- Over time, equipment for animal parachuting has improved. Tandem jumps with dogs and handlers are now common, and dogs often wear protective gear like goggles.
- Some animal drops today focus on helping people, such as dropping fish to restock high-altitude lakes or delivering supplies to remote places. Such efforts are designed to be cheaper and gentler on the animals.
- Parachuting animals also appears in films and art, from old war stories to modern stories and street art.

A note on history
- The idea of parachuting animals stretches from the 18th century to today. It has included tests, performances, war use, and wildlife management. As awareness of animal welfare grew, fewer demonstrations involve animals, and people now focus more on safety and ethical considerations.