One of Nova Scotia’s most recognizable museum residents is getting ready for an important medical procedure.
Gus the 104-year-old gopher tortoise, who has delighted generations of visitors at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, is scheduled to undergo surgery on October 13 to remove a bladder stone that veterinarians have been monitoring since 2009.
Museum staff say recent scans showed the stone had grown and was beginning to affect surrounding tissue, making surgery the best option. The procedure will use a newer, less invasive technique that does not require cutting through Gus’s shell, reducing both the risks and recovery time.
Despite the upcoming operation, staff say Gus remains in good health and is receiving exceptional veterinary care. They are optimistic about a successful outcome.
Visitors hoping to wish Gus well before surgery can stop by the museum and leave cards, drawings or messages of encouragement. The tortoise can also be seen during his daily 3 p.m. walk before he begins his recovery period.
