A royal palace in Nigeria has announced that its resident tortoise has died following a short illness, saying it was a remarkable 344 years old.
The tortoise, named Alagba, meaning elderly one, lived in the palace of Ogbomoso in Oyo state.
BBC Yoruba's Abdulwasiu Hassan said Alagba had at least two personal attendants to see to her needs and would eat only twice a month.
She was thought to have healing powers and attracted visitors from far and wide.
The revered reptile was apparently brought to the palace by the kingdom's third leader, Isan Okumoyede, who reigned from 1770 to 1797.
However, Isan Okumoyede reigned just over 200 years ago. This means the tortoise would have already been 100 when she was found, for her to have reached the grand old age of 344.
And reptile experts have cast doubt on Alagba's alleged age.
Tim Skelton, curator of reptiles at Bristol Zoo, said it would be "impossible" for Alagba to have lived that long.
People outside Ogbomoso have been calling kabiyesi to sympathize with him and our people in Ogbomoso have also been visiting since the news of its death was broken.”
A former Vice Chairman, Ogbomoso Central LCDA, Chief Ademola Olawale, said the real age of the tortoise could be determined if it was preserved. He said archaeologists could determine its real age but if the remains were thrown away it would be lost.
He said, “I want the remains of the tortoise to be preserved. We cannot throw it away like that. I am sure scientists can later date it and we will know how long it really lived.
“But alagba will be missed by many people. Many people come to the town to see the tortoise because of its age. But now that it has died. I think it should be preserved so that we won’t just throw away everything about it.”
Culled from BBC Africa
