Chanakya, the 125-year-old Galapagos giant tortoise that was a star attraction at the Nehru Zoological Garden in Hyderabad, Telangana, has died, apparently of age-related complications, the website news18.com reported.
Alarm bells began to ring for the zoo officials when Chanakya stopped eating a few days ago, the report said. He was kept under the observation of the zoo’s veterinary team head, Dr M.A. Hakeem, but his condition did not improve. He refused to eat even when presented with his favourite diet of sweet potato and spinach. About 10 days later, he died in his sleep.
An initial postmortem examination revealed that the tortoise had died of multiple organ failure. The reptile’s viscera samples have been sent to the Telangana State Veterinary Biological and Research Institute and to the P.V. Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University in Rajendranagar for detailed analysis.
Chanakya was moved to the Nehru zoo in 1963 from Hyderabad’s Bagh-e-Aam, or Public Gardens, which used to house animal enclosures before the zoo was set up.
The Galapagos giant tortoise is the largest species of tortoise. They are best known for their contribution to Charles Darwin’s ‘Evolution of Species’ theory. The scientist studied them over years to make important conclusions about human evolution.
Oldest Resident of Nehru Zoological Park, Chanakya the Tortoise, Passes Away at 125 https://t.co/MNCycFYsZf
— News Cliff (@Newscliff_) March 17, 2024
Deeply saddened by the loss of Hyderabad’s cherished 125-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise, Chanakya. His passing is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our precious wildlife. As we mourn this loss, let’s renew our commitment to protecting endangered species like Chanakya,… pic.twitter.com/Fhk98bjWh3
— Aimee Baruah (@AimeeBaruah) March 18, 2024
