A treasured 104-year-old gopher tortoise named Gus is being showered with affection and good wishes from well-wishers worldwide in anticipation of his upcoming medical procedure. Jeff Gray, the curator of the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, where Gus resides, shared that hundreds of letters, cards, and artworks have poured in for Gus since the announcement of his surgery to remove a bladder stone. Messages of support have flooded the museum’s social media platforms, with individuals from Canada and beyond expressing their hopes for Gus’s successful recovery.

Gray expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting the special bond people have with Gus, many of whom have fond memories of visiting him as children and now bring their own families to see him. Believed to be the oldest living gopher tortoise globally, Gus has been a fixture at the museum since 1942 when he was acquired for $5 in Florida. Visitors can often accompany Gus on his leisurely walks around the museum grounds, where he enjoys basking under a heat lamp in his sandy enclosure.

Ahead of his surgery, Gus will be taking a hiatus from his public strolls to recuperate in private within the museum for several weeks. The veterinary team caring for Gus discovered a bladder stone in 2009, and recent scans indicate that the stone has grown and is causing discomfort. While the procedure was previously challenging, advancements in veterinary surgery now allow for a less invasive approach to remove the stone.

Despite the risks associated with surgical intervention, both museum staff and Gus’s medical team are optimistic about the procedure’s outcome, providing Gus with the opportunity for a healthier and more comfortable future. Gus’s daily walks will continue until his surgery on Tuesday, with supporters eagerly awaiting updates on his progress post-operation.