Animals - Aquariums - Archeology - Insects - Fossils - Zoos
Oct. 06, 1975 - 150 year old Elephantine Tortoise the world's oldest animal: An 150 year old Elephantine Tortoise, the oldest resident of the Calcutta Zoo, and claimed to be the oldest animal in any zoo all over the world, was the star attraction when the zoological gardens observed its centenary on September 30th, 1975. Out of the original eight kept in East India Company's Barrack pore Zoo, four were brought to the Calcutta Zoological Gardens, founded by Lt. General Sir Richard Temple, the Lt. Governor of Bengal in 1875, exactly 100 years ago. Two of them succumbed to injuries from pelting stones. The other two, both male, perhaps wait to see the turn of the century along with the young children of today who have occasional rides on their back. Photo shows this youngster don't appear too happy as he takes a ride on the back of the world's oldest animal the 150 year old Elephantine Tortoise at the Calcutta Zoo
