beloved 130-year-old tortoise dies in South Dakota

[Enrique]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/12/137803225/methuselah-a-well-loved-tortoise-dies-at-130-in-south-dakota?ps=cprs

Methuselah, a giant tortoise whose life began in the Galapagos Islands 130 years ago, has died in Rapid City, S.D. Since 1954, the huge animal has been a star attraction at Reptile Gardens, where officials estimate that he posed for photographs with tens of thousands of visitors, many of them children.

Methuselah began his life in 1881. Here's a sampling of what else was going on that year:

James Garfield became president.
Billy the Kid escaped from jail and was killed by Pat Garrett in New Mexico.
The American Red Cross was established.
The O.K. Corral gunfight took place in Tombstone, Arizona.

[CatWoman]

1. wow

RIP, Methuselah :(

[NNN0LHI]

2. I rode on Methuselah over 50 years ago when I was about 5

I have pictures.

Don

[CatWoman]

5. that is soooo

cool!!!

:hi:

[NNN0LHI]

6. I can remember like it was yesterday

Weird, huh?

:hi:

[Enrique]

8. so it's your fault

;-) :hi:

[NNN0LHI]

9. Next time we went to Reptile Gardens(one of our favorites stops), it wasn't allowed

In 1960 when we were there it was encouraged by the owners of the place.

Don

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. amazing

[Evasporque]

22. Me too!

lol

[FredStembottom]

34. I did , too!

A memory that had slipped away.
Thanks, NNN0LHI

[unionworks]

3. R.I.P.

The ancient Chinese considered the tortoise a symbol of longevity and used their shells for divination

[LeftinOH]

4. We could learn a lot from a 130-year old tortoise; he spent all this time eating, sleeping

-and enjoying the sunshine. Humans have engaged in countless wars in the same period. I'm jealous.

[comtec]

7. isnt that young for this kind of turtle?

I thought these turtles lived to be much much older

that aside... wow

[Enrique]

12. he was the James Dean of tortoises :-)

[csziggy]

26. Lived slow and died young (for a tortise)? n/t

[NV Whino]

10. The last of his kind

R.I.P The reason he was in SD in the first place is he was the only tortoise left on the island. His mate had died apparently and he was left alone.

[geardaddy]

16. I think that was "Lonesome George"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_George

[NV Whino]

19. Whoops, my mistake.

Thanks for the correction.

[geardaddy]

20. No problem.

I didn't actually know either. Your post made me curious. :hi:

[joeybee12]

11. RIP Big Guy!

There's gotta be a tortoise heaven.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. Let me guess: he dissolved in a luminous cloud and left a grumpy red panda to mind the place. -nt

[DearAbby]

15. RIP Methuselah

See ya on the otherside.

[xchrom]

17. sad. you will be missed methusala.

just look at the people who have a memory of him in this thread.

[Erose999]

18. There is... another

[21st Century FDR]

21. Yeah, but...

..let's hope that son of a bitch never makes it to 130!

RIP Methuselah :(

[Divine Discontent]

33. very funny! :)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

23. You are so wrong for this, and yet I spit coffee all over my computer screen! K&R!!!!!

[Dappleganger]

24. He spent all that time not giving a fuck...

I am in awe. RIP, old man.

[Kennah]

31. At 130, I imagine he gave lots of fucks

[TwilightGardener]

25. Sad to hear this. Took my kids to Reptile Gardens when we lived in RC.

[spanone]

27. the resemblance is amazing

[Pool Hall Ace]

28. Kicking this thread for Methuselah

RIP old man :cry:

[11 Bravo]

29. His great-great-great grandson, Mitch McConnell, is in mourning this evening.

[reformist2]

30. I *knew* it would be a big turtle! LOL

[MilesColtrane]

32. At least he had a good run...

errr....slow walk I mean.