Trains.com

Harriet has passed away.

1682 views
17 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Harriet has passed away.
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 23, 2006 7:51 PM
She was thought to be the worlds oldest living creature, a Galapagos tortois and she just passed away here on the Sunshine Coast, a few months hsort of her 176 birthday. She was owned by Steve Irwin at his nearby Australia Zoo. But originally by Sir Charles Darwin of theory of eveolution fame. He took her in a wooden sailing ship back to London about 1835,where she lived for many years but ended up here.

She was originally thought to be a male and was called Harry.

Rgds ian
  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: in my train room
  • 201 posts
Posted by ModelTrainman on Friday, June 23, 2006 7:58 PM
Poor turtle...........176..........wow
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • 6,434 posts
Posted by FJ and G on Friday, June 23, 2006 8:10 PM
Oldest living thing thought to be some western US trees and some 33 foot long worms that are perported to be over 2K years old (2000). My garden RR has been built to last at least that long. I just need to find loving caretakers after I expire. So far, no luck.
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Redding, California
  • 1,428 posts
Posted by Train 284 on Friday, June 23, 2006 11:39 PM
176 years old huh? Wow!
Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: North of Chicago
  • 1,050 posts
Posted by Tom The Brat on Saturday, June 24, 2006 9:54 AM
She will be missed.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 24, 2006 1:38 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

She was thought to be the worlds oldest living creature, a Galapagos tortois and she just passed away here on the Sunshine Coast, a few months hsort of her 176 birthday. She was owned by Steve Irwin at his nearby Australia Zoo. But originally by Sir Charles Darwin of theory of eveolution fame. He took her in a wooden sailing ship back to London about 1835,where she lived for many years but ended up here.

She was originally thought to be a male and was called Harry.

Rgds ian


I heard this on the Radio this morning. [:(]

She was older than a few countries on the map!

Major Carrales
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: North of Chicago
  • 1,050 posts
Posted by Tom The Brat on Saturday, June 24, 2006 4:48 PM
QUOTE: "Dashing...eh? Yup...I used to have to fight 'em off with a stick!"


You mean the mosquitos? Yea, they can be bad[:-,]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 25, 2006 3:23 AM
Yes that was correct she was a tortois not a turtle, they have flippers.

Steve hinself was on TV and he was nearly in tears, she has been in his family since before he was born.

That rubbish about the trees just goes to show how shallow some people are.

I have aslo heard that you yanks reckon those trees are the argest living thing on the planet as well. try to compare that to the Australian Great barrier reef 1200 miles or 1500 km long. It is the longest and reef in world and it is also the worlds largest marine park until just recently the Japanese have one larger now.


Rgds Ian
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
  • 1,266 posts
Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Sunday, June 25, 2006 6:53 PM
Bet she was quite happy she wasn't a people! Imagine the income taxes she would have had to pay over all those years!

Bet she wasn't too happy about being put to a bunch of other girls to breed in her younger days!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 26, 2006 7:22 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

QUOTE: "Dashing...eh? Yup...I used to have to fight 'em off with a stick!"


You mean the mosquitos? Yea, they can be bad[:-,]


I think that has to be the gag of the year - my pants are wet, my sides ache - thanks for the laugh!

As for poor old Harriet, at least she got to try a few alternatives, both boys and girls!
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Virginia Beach
  • 2,150 posts
Posted by tangerine-jack on Monday, June 26, 2006 7:40 AM
Only 176 years old? Slacker. She could have made it to 180.

BTW, the redwood trees of the American North West are the oldest, not the largest, living things at least on dry land. The barrier reef is a clear winner in the largest contest. I don't think anybody knows for certain how old the reef is, but I'm sure it's in the running for that title also.

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 26, 2006 4:57 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack

Only 176 years old? Slacker. She could have made it to 180.



Oldest Chelonian
A Madagascar radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) presented to the Tongan royal family by the British explorer Captain Cook in either 1773 or 1777 lived to the age of at least 188. It died in 1965. The animal was called Tui Malila.


If she could have lasted another 12 years and one day - she could have held a record!

That is just slack!

Mind you, living with Steve Irwin, I wouldn't be surprised if she found her digoxin tablets and took a few extra!

Be enough to drive anyone over the edge.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:44 PM
Nic mate you are so right; I actually went to see that Tortois in Tonga, it was owned by King Taupo 4 th and it had died a few months before i got there.
I actually had "tea" with one of his sisters Princess Like Like. (pron Licky Licky same as the street by the same name in Hawaii) wonderful friendly people the Tongans .

Did you know they are officiall y the largest race of people on the planet and you should see them play football, mainly Rugby Union.


Ian
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:26 AM
In related news...several sea turtles were released into the SEA in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Kemp's ridley turtles to be exact!!!

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4802136,00.html
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:09 PM
Hehehe, when I was going to high school, there was a small Tongan community there, we always stayed on those kids good side!

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 6:28 PM
Joe mate.

That is not related news, very interesting and worthwhile but not related.


Rgds ian
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
  • 1,266 posts
Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Thursday, June 29, 2006 10:03 AM
Ian,
I suppose that Harriet is somehow remotely related to the subject of Garden Railways?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 1, 2006 1:44 AM
Ok just to be a [}:)]. Lets see many garden railways have ponds, and in these ponds live a relative of the tortois family, turtles. SO you are both right, they are related to garden railroading and tortois [;)][:P][:)][:D]

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy