R.I.P. Harriet...

[iGary]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/06/24/tortoise.die.ap/story.tortoise.ap.jpg

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A 176-year-old tortoise, believed by some to have been owned by Charles Darwin, has died in an Australian zoo.

The giant tortoise, known as Harriet, was long reputed to have been one of three tortoises taken from the Galapagos Islands by Darwin on his historic 1835 voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.

However, historical records, while suggestive, don't prove the claim, and some scientists have cast doubt on the story, with DNA tests confirming Harriet's age but showing she came from an island that Darwin never visited.

According to local legend, Harriet was just five years old and probably no bigger than a dinner plate when she was taken from the Galapagos to Britain.

She spent a few years in Britain before being moved to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens in Australia's tropical Queensland state in the mid-1800s, where she was mistaken for a male and nicknamed Harry, according to Australia Zoo, which later bought the 150-kilogram (330-pound) tortoise.

The Queensland-based zoo is owned by "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin and his wife Terri.

"Harriet sadly died last night after, thankfully, a very short illness," senior veterinarian Jon Hanger told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.

"She'd been sick yesterday with, in effect, heart failure. She had a very fairly acute heart attack and thankfully passed away quietly overnight," Hangar said.

Irwin said he considered Harriet a member of the family.

"Harriet has been a huge chunk of the Irwin family's life," Irwin said Saturday.

[yankeefan24]

so sad… one more turtle off the earth.

[sushi]

A 176-year-old tortoise, believed by some to have been owned by Charles Darwin, has died in an Australian zoo.
Wow, that's old.

Imagine if man lived that long... :eek:

[iGary]

They are really neat animals if anyone has seen them in person. No wonder the live so long, they never really get upset and move through life in slow motion. :)

[celebrian23]

I didn't know steve irwin owned a zoo!

[Killyp]

...No wonder the live so long, they never really get upset and move through life in slow motion. :)

Bit like my dad... :D

[Electro Funk]

My fiance saw some giant tortises mating @ busch gardens :eek:

She said they sounded just like randy jackson on american idol when he yells "yeah, yeah, yeah" :D (im not joking)

[FleurDuMal]

My fiance saw some giant tortises mating @ busch gardens :eek:


Whatever tickles her pickle... :p

[Johnny Rico]

Wow, that's old.

Imagine if man lived that long... :eek:
Folks might exhibit a bit more foresight in that case. Such is difficult to imagine.

[Tanglewood]

Wow, that's old.

Imagine if man lived that long... :eek:

It add new meaning to the phrase, "When I was your age..."

[AlBDamned]

They are really neat animals if anyone has seen them in person. No wonder the live so long, they never really get upset and move through life in slow motion. :)


I met Harriet just this last February at Australia Zoo.

My pic of her in Feb is attached. I was sad to hear this news. 175 years old. She was awe inspiring when you think back to the world in 1830.

[2nyRiggz]

R.I.P Harriet...she lived a full life....and a full life for me too..175 years wow:eek:


Bless

[dmw007]

R.I.P. Harriet, at least she had a nice, long lifespan. :)

[CanadaRAM]

What is "very fairly acute"?

Acute, but done in an exceedingly equitable way?

[dextertangocci]

I never knew tortoises could grow that big!:eek:

[annk]

What is "very fairly acute"?


Exceedingly bad English. :p

[sushi]

It add new meaning to the phrase, "When I was your age..."
Yeah, like a century ago when I was your age, we... ;)

Just think of everything that has happened in the past 170 years (figuring that one wouldn't remember much the first 5 years).

Just to name a few areas in no particular order:
- Wars/conflicts/Cold War
- Automotive
- Aviation
- Inventions and technology
- Medical science
- Economic
- Fashion
- United States (states added during this time).

Boggles the mind.

My uncle used to say that he lived during the most significant time for man. He lived while man went from horse and buggy to man walking on the moon. It's hard to imagine a future change as significant as this.

[MacRy]

Sad news. Tortoises are great animals with such funny personalities. I have two myself and in honour of the father of this thread here is a picture of one of them.....he's called Gary :)

http://static.flickr.com/77/174364460_9c3f734e10.jpg

[FleurDuMal]

My uncle used to say that he lived during the most significant time for man. He lived while man went from horse and buggy to man walking on the moon. It's hard to imagine a future change as significant as this.

How about complete depletion of the worlds fossil fuels, disturbances of whole ecosystems because of global warming, and losing whole continents because of rising sea levels?

[sushi]

How about complete depletion of the worlds fossil fuels, disturbances of whole ecosystems because of global warming, and losing whole continents because of rising sea levels?
Whatever.

I think you miss the point of my post.

Anyhow, as for your comments above, they seem suited to a political thread vice this one. Please start a new thread in the political forum if you feel the need. But let's keep this turtle thread in the current events forum.

Many thanks!

[FleurDuMal]

Whatever.

I think you miss the point of my post.

Anyhow, as for your comments above, they seem suited to a political thread vice this one. Please start a new thread in the political forum if you feel the need. But let's keep this turtle thread in the current events forum.

Many thanks!

Whatever.

[imacintel]

damn..global warming. Remember frogs?:D

[iGary]

Sad news. Tortoises are great animals with such funny personalities. I have two myself and in honour of the father of this thread here is a picture of one of them.....he's called Gary :)

http://static.flickr.com/77/174364460_9c3f734e10.jpg

Wow, I'd love to have a couple.

Of course, I'd have Noah's Ark if I could. :o

[pimentoLoaf]

Sad news. Tortoises are great animals with such funny personalities. I have two myself and in honour of the father of this thread here is a picture of one of them.....he's called Gary :)

Does he answer to his name, and... What kind of tricks does a tortoise do?

[OutThere]

Does he answer to his name, and... What kind of tricks does a tortoise do?

his best trick, IMO, is called "master cleanse"

:D ;)

[wmmk]

They are really neat animals if anyone has seen them in person. No wonder the live so long, they never really get upset and move through life in slow motion. :)
they must not have little kids running on their front lawn;)

[MacRy]

Does he answer to his name, and... What kind of tricks does a tortoise do?

He comes to you and tries to get on your lap if you're sitting in the garden. he likes to have his shell stroked.

And of course he jumps through flaming hoops on demand and catches frisbies.