World’s oldest captive tortoise dead at 176
The world’s oldest animal in captivity has died on the Sunshine Coast at the ripe old age of 176. Giant Galapagos tortoise Harriet has died of a suspected heart attack.
She was a star attraction at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo since the1980s and even features in the Guinness Book of Records for herlongevity.
Her history is as colourful as the hibiscus flowers she lovingly munched on.
It is believed Harriet was one of three animals naturalist CharlesDarwin brought back from his trip to the Galapagos Islands in 1835 andwhich led to his theories of evolution and natural selection.
A few years later, Sir Charles gave them to a Brisbane-bound friend.
For about 100 years Harriet was mistakenly thought to be a male.
At 176, Harriet was recognised as the world’s oldest living chelonian – a reptile with a shell or bony plates.
Mr Irwin said he considered Harriet a member of the family.