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Life during World War II forced people to make all sorts of sacrifices: food rations, nylon pantyhose, raising a baby elephant in your backyard. WHAAAA?!

The Belfast Zoo is currently trying to identify the woman known only as the "Elephant Angel" who temporarily adopted a baby elephant to save its life during the Belfast Blitz in 1941.

The zoo was forced to euthanize some hyenas, bears and wolves at the time because they could wreak serious havoc if bombs destroyed the zoo walls.

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Obeasts

    "Stop standing next to me, you're making me look fat."

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    This Chinese cat weighs 33 pounds, as much as four cats of average weight (or 132 sticks of butter).

    This big boy is a little down in the dumps. Perhaps it's the high carb diet?

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    This cat's more than a little bit of a couch potato.

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    Pug lug.

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    This big guy was rescued by the Humane Society after getting stuck in a pet door while attempting to steal some dog food. Embarrassing.

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    Is it just us, or does that dog look scared?

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    This Labrador, named Chubby Charlie, was forced to go on a crash diet after ballooning to 168 pounds.

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    These fat monkeys live in a tiny enclosure in a Japanese park. Their considerable monkey bulk is blamed on overfeeding by visitors.

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    There are fat pigs, and then there are fat pigs.

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But the mystery woman stepped forward and volunteered to care for the elephant instead of having it put down.

Now, on the zoo's 75th anniversary, officials want to find and release the identity of the woman. All they have to go on is an old black-and-white photograph and a hunch that the lady lived in the northern part of Belfast.

We're guessing if you kept an elephant in your backyard, you would probably tell your grandchildren about it. After all, an Elephant Angel never forgets.


Miniature Mammals!

    Dwarf Hippopotamus: Dwarf hippos originated in West Africa and tend to be reclusive and nocturnal animals. And very, very cute.

    Dwarf Hippopotamus: This hippo and her baby are dwarfs, but still way bigger than you and me.

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    Baby Spider Monkey Holding on for dear life!

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    Miniature Dachshund: Mini-wienerdog is knee-high to the grass.

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    Miniature wienerdog says somebody throw me a bone!

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    Pygmy Goat: Pygmy goats are originally from West Africa and were imported to the U.S. in the 1950s.

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    Pygmy Goat: Mini-goats make amazing mini-goat cheese wheels.

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    Pygmy Marmosets a.k.a. Pygmy Monkeys: The world's smallest species of monkey, these tree-dwellers live in the western Amazon Rain Forest and typically grow to around 5 inches. That is one mini monkey!

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    Miniature Pony: Mini-ponies can be traced back to Shetland pony origins. and often take several generations to be bred down to their smallish sizes.

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    Miniature Pony: Mini-ponies make excellent guide animals animals for blind people afraid or allergic to dogs, and can live in the house just as a dog might.

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