'Clive of India's tortoise' dies aged 250

Saw this today amazing they can live so long

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc...eut/index.html

250 years old, that is a long time, it is amazing what changes the world has taken during that animal's life. Imagine the difference of technology it was around for, airplanes, space travel, wars, automobiles, water crafts, phones, computers etc.

'Clive of India's tortoise' dies aged 250

Thursday, March 23, 2006; Posted: 3:03 p.m. EST (20:03 GMT)


The 250-year-old tortoise, named Addwaitya, had lived at the zoo for about 130 years.

The tortoise had been the pet of Robert Clive, the famous British military officer in colonial India around the middle of the 18th century, a local minister in West Bengal state said.

Local authorities say the tortoise, named "Addwaitya" meaning the "The One and Only" in Bengali, was the oldest tortoise in the world but they have not presented scientific proof to back up their claim.

"Historical records show he was a pet of British general Robert Clive of the East India Company and had spent several years in his sprawling estate before he was brought to the zoo about 130 years ago," West Bengal Forest Minister Jogesh Barman said.

"We have documents to prove that he was more than 150 years old, but we have pieced together other evidence like statements from authentic sources and it seems that he is more than 250 years old," he said.

The minister said details about Addwaitya's early life showed that British sailors had brought him from the Seychelles islands and presented him to Clive, who was rising fast in the East India Company's military hierarchy.

On Thursday, the tortoise's enclosure wore a deserted look.

"This is a sad day for us. We will miss him very much," a zoo keeper said.

Wild Aldabra tortoises are found in the Aldabra island in the Indian Ocean Seychelles islands. They average about 120 kg (265 pounds). It is believed that tortoises are the longest lived of all animals, with life spans often surpassing 100 years.

I like the "it is believed that tortoises are the longest lived animals" I could have sworn that was a fact, instead it must be just a hypothesis, silly me Trix are for kids.

Originally Posted by Junkyard

250 years old, that is a long time, it is amazing what changes the world has taken during that animal's life. Imagine the difference of technology it was around for, airplanes, space travel, wars, automobiles, water crafts, phones, computers etc.

That post peaked my curiosity. In 1750 they were still using the Gutenberg Press.

1764
James Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny, which spins eight threads simultaneously.

30 Apr 1789
George Washington becomes president

1752
In June, Ben Franklin performs famous kite experiment

March 10, 1876
First phone call

1750-1830
Industrial Revolution

Thats just a few, like you said amazing the things that happened during his life