The Body of Balto, From Heroic Sled Dog to Taxidermized Corpse

Many people are familiar with Balto, the dog who was made a national hero. Some of you have probably heard about his heartwarming story because of the animated film. On the other hand, some only knew him from the news. Either way, knowing the story of this beautiful creature will inspire and touch your hearts. When you find out what happened to his body, however, it may even leave you with an eerie feeling. So, how did this sled dog become a national hero? Where is his body now? To answer this question, here is the story of Balto.

The Serum Run

Balto’s story started on a mission on January 20, 1925. During that time, a diphtheria outbreak occurred in Nome, a remote town in Alaska. Unfortunately, the treatment for the disease was unavailable. To make matters worse, the road to Nome was only accessible by sled dogs.

Fortunately, Balto led a team of sled dogs that were able to reach Nome and deliver the serum to save the people of the town. This mission was known as the Serum Run of 1925. It was then when Balto and his teammates were proclaimed national heroes of the United States.

After the Race

The story of Balto didn’t end after the Serum Run. After Balto and his team’s life-saving mission, they starred in a short film entitled “Balto’s Race to Nome.” Unfortunately, the future of the sled dogs became grim after the film. To explain further, the dogs were forced into the Vaudeville circus because of a disagreement between the owners. From there, the sled dogs toured the United States as part of the circus for two years.

After two years, Balto and his teammates were transferred to a museum in Los Angeles. In that museum, the sled dogs caught the attention of George Kimble, a businessman from Cleveland.

The Movement to Save Balto and His Teammates

After learning the current state of the sled dogs, George Kimble got angry. As such, he offered to buy them from their owner for $2,000. The problem is that George Kimble has to raise the money within two weeks.

Afterward, the race to save Balto and his teammates started. Radio stations across the nation appealed for help. The result was a heartwarming response from Cleveland. Everyone in the city donated what they could. Plus, the Western Reserve Kennel Club also gave the necessary financial boost. As a result, George Kimble was able to raise the money in just ten days.

Cleveland Legacy

After the race to save Balto, the sled dogs were brought to Cleveland on March 19, 1927. There, Balto and his teammates received a hero’s welcome through a parade in the Public Square. Afterward, the sled dogs were brought to the Brookside Zoo, where they lived out the rest of their days with dignity.

Finally, the story of Balto ends on March 14, 1933, when he died. His heroic deeds and memories will remain because his body was preserved after his death, and you can view his taxidermized body at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Despite being a little eerie, his body was handled with extreme care, so he still looks dignified and majestic even on display after death.