A treasured 104-year-old gopher tortoise named Gus is being showered with love and good wishes from well-wishers worldwide as he prepares for an upcoming surgery. Jeff Gray, the Museum of Natural History manager in Halifax where Gus resides, revealed that numerous letters, cards, and artworks have poured in for Gus following the announcement of his surgery to remove a bladder stone. The museum’s social media channels have also been flooded with thousands of supportive messages from individuals in Canada and beyond, expressing their hopes for Gus’s successful procedure.
Gray expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of affection towards Gus, highlighting the sentimental connection people share with the tortoise. Gus, believed to be the world’s oldest gopher tortoise, has been a fixture at the Museum of Natural History since 1942 when he was purchased for a mere $5 in Florida. Visitors frequently accompany Gus on his daily walks around the museum, observing him bask under a heat lamp in his sandy enclosure when not out exploring.
Following the surgery, Gus will take a hiatus from his public outings to recover in private within the museum for several weeks. Gray explained that the surgical team identified a bladder stone in Gus back in 2009, with recent scans indicating its growth and impact on surrounding tissue. Although surgical interventions for such conditions in tortoises are not uncommon, performing the procedure on a centenarian reptile like Gus presents unique challenges.
Despite the risks associated with surgery, the museum staff and veterinary team are optimistic that the procedure will enhance Gus’s quality of life. Gray emphasized the importance of providing captive tortoises like Gus with a secure environment, regular care, and veterinary attention to prolong their lifespan. Gus’s final public walk before his surgery is scheduled for Monday, allowing visitors to bid him well before his medical procedure on Tuesday.