125-Year-Old Giant Tortoise Dead : The city of Hyderabad bid farewell to its oldest resident, Chanakya, a 125-year-old Galapagos giant tortoise, who passed away at the Nehru Zoological Park. Chanakya’s remarkable lifespan spanned three centuries, but age-related complications led to his demise.
Chanakya, known by the number G1, spent his days at the Nehru Zoological Park alongside another tortoise, G2, who is 95 years old. Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath, the zoo curator, reminisced about seeing Chanakya for the first time during a visit to the zoo in 1996.
The tortoise had shown signs of declining health, as he had been off food for the past 10 days. Despite efforts by the zoo veterinarian and animal keepers to hand-feed him, Chanakya refused to eat, even rejecting his favorite foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, and soaked chana.
FAQs about Chanakya, the 125-Year-Old Giant Galapagos Tortoise
- What was Chanakya’s age at the time of his passing?
- Chanakya was 125 years old when he passed away.
- Where did Chanakya reside?
- Chanakya lived at the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad.
- What species of tortoise was Chanakya?
- Chanakya was a Galapagos giant tortoise.
- How long had Chanakya been at the zoo?
- Chanakya had been a resident of the Nehru Zoological Park for an extended period, although the exact duration is unclear.
- Did Chanakya have any companions?
- Yes, Chanakya shared his enclosure with another tortoise known as G2, who is 95 years old.
- What were the circumstances of Chanakya’s passing?
- Chanakya’s death was attributed to age-related complications.
- Who announced Chanakya’s death?
- The zoo authorities announced Chanakya’s passing in a news release.
- What efforts were made to help Chanakya before his death?
- The zoo veterinarian and animal keepers tried to hand-feed Chanakya for eight days, but he refused to eat.
- What were Chanakya’s favorite foods?
- Chanakya enjoyed eating carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, and soaked chana.
- How did the zoo staff discover Chanakya’s passing?
- The animal keepers, Syed Jahangir and another staffer, found Chanakya motionless during their routine morning check.
- Did Chanakya show any signs of illness before his passing?
- Yes, Chanakya had stopped eating for the past 10 days, indicating declining health.
- What was the cause of Chanakya’s death?
- The initial postmortem report indicated that Chanakya died due to multiple organ failure.
- How long had Syed Jahangir been taking care of Chanakya?
- Syed Jahangir had been looking after Chanakya for the last eight years.
- What was Chanakya’s number at the zoo?
- Chanakya was identified by the number G1 at the Nehru Zoological Park.
- How did Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath describe his memories of Chanakya?
- Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath recalled seeing Chanakya for the first time during a visit to the zoo in 1996.
- Did Chanakya leave any offspring behind?
- To the best of the caretakers’ knowledge, Chanakya did not leave any descendants.
- How did Chanakya’s passing impact the zoo staff?
- The zoo staff expressed sadness and nostalgia upon realizing Chanakya had passed away.
- What did Chanakya’s passing signify for the zoo?
- Chanakya’s passing marked the loss of the zoo’s oldest resident and an end to a significant chapter in its history.
- Was Chanakya a well-known figure in Hyderabad?
- Yes, Chanakya had become a beloved and iconic figure in Hyderabad due to his advanced age and long-standing presence at the zoo.
- How did Chanakya contribute to animal conservation efforts?
- Chanakya served as an ambassador for his species, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation and sparking public interest in protecting endangered tortoise species.
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Conclusion:
Chanakya’s passing marks the end of an era at the Nehru Zoological Park, where he had been a beloved resident for over a century. His longevity and presence had become a cherished part of Hyderabad’s history and culture.