Coming out of his shell at 104

One slow step at a time - that’s Admiral the tortoise’s life as he looks forward to his 104th birthday.

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Durban - One slow step at a time - that’s Admiral the tortoise’s life as he looks forward to his 104th birthday at Mitchell Park Zoo on Friday.

Admiral arrived at Mitchell Park about 100 years ago, courtesy of an unknown naval officer who brought three giant tortoises to the park during World War I.

He found them in the Seychelles in 1915, according to Mitchell Park archives.

The officer, presumed killed in action, never returned to claim his pets and Admiral has been at the park since, outliving the other two.

Yesterday, Admiral was his cheerful self, posing for photographs and fascinating schoolchildren.

For his 100th birthday, writer and storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe, gave Admiral his second name - Admiral Manqoba (the conqueror).

This year the zoo has not announced any plans yet to celebrate his birthday, but Admiral, like any old man, is content to doze and chomp his vegetables.

For his centenary birthday, Admiral had a birthday cake and bash in the zoo park.

Former Mitchell Park zoo manager, Karl Westphal, who looked after Admiral for many years, sent his best wishes from Australia via Facebook.

Daily News