One of Halifax’s oldest residents is going under the knife to remove a urinary stone next month. Gus the gopher tortoise, who turned 104 last month, will have a surgery to remove the stone on Oct. 13, according to the Museum of Natural History. Veterinarians first found the stone, which is a hard lump of minerals in the bladder, in Gus in 2009. “These stones are common in tortoises, and it wasn’t causing him discomfort,” the release reads. “The only surgical option at the time would have meant drilling through his shell and a long recovery. Given Gus’s age and excellent health, we chose to keep monitoring the stone as long as he stayed comfortable and active. “Recently, though, a CT scan showed the stone has grown and is beginning to press on surrounding tissues. After consulting veterinary specialists, we’ve decided Gus will have surgery to remove it.” The museum says well-wishers can visit Gus ahead of the surgery during his daily walks at 3 p.m. Following the operation, Gus will spend several weeks recovering out of the public eye. Gus was born and raised in Florida. Don Crowdis, director of the Nova Scotia Provincial Museum, bought him for $5 in 1942 and brought him to the museum. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
