Charles Darwin's Tortoise Dies

The world's oldest animal in captivity has died on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland at the ripe old age of 176. The giant Galapagos tortoise, Harriet, died of a suspected heart attack.

She was a star attraction at crocodile-man Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo since the 1980s and even featured in the Guinness Book of Records for her longevity. Her history is as colourful as the hibiscus flowers she lovingly munched on.

It is believed Harriet was one of three animals naturalist Charles Darwin brought back from his trip to the Galapagos Islands in 1835 and which led to his theories of evolution and natural selection. A few years later, Darwin gave them to a Brisbane- bound friend.

For about 100 years Harriet was mistakenly thought to be a male. At 176, Harriet was recognised as the world's oldest living chelonian -- a reptile with a shell or bony plates.

Irwin, who is internationally known for his antics with crocodiles, told the Australian Associated Press he considered Harriet a member of the family. "Harriet has been a huge chunk of the Irwin family's life. "I've grown up with this gorgeous old girl and so have my kids. "She is possibly one of the oldest living creatures on the planet and her passing today is not only a great loss for the world but a very sad day for my family."She was a grand old lady," he added.