eating

The much-loved gopher tortoise at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax has taken a huge step forward in his recovery process after surgery last month.

In post on social media on Sunday, the museum said he had a little bit to eat.

“This is a great step in Gus’s recovery,” said the museum.

In a video posted to social media, the Museum of Natural History shows him munching on banana and lettuce.

The 104-year-old gopher tortoise went until the knife for a bladder stone on October 13. He’s been at the museum for weeks recovering, receiving food and medicine through a feeding tube which will stay in place for the time being.

Before he went into surgery, Gus received an outpouring of community support. So much love was shown, the manager of the museum Jeff Gray said, it was overwhelming in a previous interview with Acadia News.

He even made national headlines.

“People love Gus. I think that seeing that he was not feeling well and had to go to the hospital really resonated,” Gray said, noting some of the museum’s most popular social media content features the tortoise.”

Gus has been with the museum since 1940 and is believed to be the oldest living gopher tortoise.

The museum said they will continue to record his progress for the vet team.

“Good job, little buddy,” said the museum.

-with files from Natalie Chiasson