Tui Malila

Tu'i Malila was the name of a tortoise given to the royal family of Tonga by captain James Cook. It was a Madagascar Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata).

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This particular tortoise was given to the royal family in either 1773 or 1777, the exact date is not known. It remained in the care of the Tongan royal family until its death by natural causes on May 19, 1965. This means that upon its death, Tu'i Malila was either 188 or 192 years old, but either figure gains it the title of oldest Cheloniinae (tortoise or turtle) ever recorded. It is also the oldest living animal ever known. During the Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Tour of Tonga in 1953, the tortoise was one of the first things shown to the monarch on her official visit to the island nation.

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Tortoise: Chersina...

Tonga: :See Tonga (disambiguation) for alternative meanings....

James Cook: James Cook (October 27, 1728 – February 14, 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, and map maker. He made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, in which its main shorelines were mapped. His most notable accomplishments were the discoveries of the east coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Island...