After 131 years, Adwaita is no more with the Alipore Zoo. Two days after the death of the zoo’s oldest occupant, its dusty enclosure lies empty. Brought from Latbagan in Barrackpore, the tortoise was a part of the zoo since its inception in 1875. The tortoise, or Geochelone gigantea as it is scientifically known, was estimated to be more than 260 years old.The zoo authorities have decided to preserve its shell in the zoo museum which is being planned.Incidentally, the shell had suffered a mild crack a few years back, but it was repaired. Zoo officials said Adwaita showed no signs of any illness, and the death was rather sudden. A post-mortem examination showed the tortoise had died of renal failure.The tortoise, minus the shell, was cremated at the zoo hospital. The shell is being processed in the veterinary zoo hospital for preservation. ‘‘The processing work is going on. We will preserve the shell, but the sit of exhibit is yet to be finalised,’’ informed Dr Subir Chaudhuri, director of Alipore Zoo.‘‘The animal had shown no symptoms of kidney or liver failure. It ate its usual quota of vegetable diet in the morning,’’ said Dr Chaudhuri. Adwaita died on Tuesday night.‘‘Biswanath Ram, the caretaker who attended to the tortoise for years is really going to miss it,’’ said Chaudhuri. ‘‘When one takes care of an animal for so long, there is bound to be a bonding. And ever since Ram joined here, he was responsible for Adwaita,’’ he added.After Adwaita’s death, the zoo’s oldest inmate is a 75-year-old Red and Blue Macaw. ‘‘The bird is well taken care of. But it must be mentioned that Adwaita was the oldest of its type in the whole of India. We have no immediate plans to replace it,’’ said Chaudhuri.
