Oldest known creature tortoise Harriet dies at '175'

Started by Loki, June 30, 2006, 02:56:50 AM

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After a long and distinguished life, Harriet the tortoise has died at an estimated age of 175.


As the oldest-known living creature in the world, the giant Galapagos tortoise was thought to have been born in 1830.

But after what appeared to be a heart attack, she finally passed away at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

The zoo's senior vet, Dr John Hangar, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "Harriet sadly died last night after, thankfully, a very short illness.

"She'd been sick yesterday with, in effect, heart failure.

"She had a very fairly acute heart attack and thankfully passed away quietly overnight."

It is thought that Charles Darwin brought her back to the UK from the Galapagos Islands when she was only five.

Dr Hangar said: "She spent a period of time in Britain and found herself at the Botanic Gardens in Brisbane from about 1850 or 1860 onwards and eventually she found her way up to Australia Zoo."

Despite Darwin's interest in biology, Harriet was mistaken for a male for 100 years of her life and called Harry.

Her name was changed when her real gender was realised.

Harriet - who was born when William IV was on the throne - graced the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records for her impressive longevity.

In the latter years, she enjoyed life in the slow lane, soaking up the sunshine and being cared for by adoring keepers.
The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist." - Charles Baudelaire (French and monstrous poet).


Makes ya wonder how long she would have lived if we just left her in her native habaitat but watched over her....probally would have broken the 200 mark  :|
Nothing brings you closer to reality
Than the taste
Of rejection