DURBAN’S living legend and the country’s oldest tortoise, Admiral, turned 109 years old on Tuesday, 24 September.
The country’s oldest citizen arrived in Durban in 1915, at the age of five, after he was dropped off at what is now known as the Mitchell Park Zoo in a cigar box by a naval officer that was leaving to fight in World War I. The officer never returned to collect the tortoise, who has been in residence at the zoo ever since.
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The Municipality and Durban residents celebrated 109 years of his life with a fitting birthday celebration that included a birthday cake, ‘happy birthday’ sung by children and adults alike, and gifts in the form of fruits and vegetables from visitors.
Speaking at the party, head of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, said Admiral was one of Durban’s most important citizens and the gathering to celebrate his birthday was to teach children that animals, as well as plants and trees, needed to be taken care of, just as humans are.
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Garth Kloppenborg from Parks said Admiral was an Aldabra tortoise that eats grass and vegetables in captivity. The oldest recorded Aldabra tortoise lived to 152 years old, and the life expectancy of the species was between 80 and 120 years.
“They have no known predators, and are only vulnerable if they fall or roll over. The tortoise is the eleventh heaviest reptile in the world when fully grown and can’t swim, although Admiral loves to get into the water in his enclosure. He is often seen with about one third of his body submerged in water as he loves to soak, especially on hot days,” said Garth.
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Admiral is an impressive creature, and it takes about six grown men to pick him up.
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