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Goodbye to South Dakota's Favorite Tortoise
Jul 12, 2011
Reptile Gardens near Rapid City houses some of the world's deadliest snakes, most exotic birds and even a modern-day dragon. Still, old Methuselah, the 600-pound Galapagos tortoise, was a favorite amongst visitors. Methuselah died this week at the ripe old age of 130. Folks at Reptile Gardens are planning a tribute in the near future for their old friend. Photos by Joe Maierhauser, Earl Brockelsby and Chad Coppess from S.D. Tourism.
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Methuselah came to Reptile Gardens in 1954 from the Galapagos Islands, long before the animal was placed on the endangered species list.
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Kadoka native Earl Brockelsby opened Reptile Gardens in 1937.
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Brockelsby kept snakes as pets, and his front yard often teemed with people wanting to see them. He built a small structure south of Rapid City and brought in $3.85 on the first day.
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Johnny Brockelsby, Earl's son and now the director of public relations at Reptile Gardens, remembers riding on the giant tortoise as a kid.
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Johnny, here with Janet (Brockelsby) Jacobs, was just three when his father brought Methuselah to the Gardens.
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Methuselah was still giving rides up until a few years ago.
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Every year, Methuselah celebrated his birthday in June with a watermelon feast.
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You can share your Methuselah memories and photos on our
Facebook page.
Wildflowers are adding a splash of color to the granite and pines of the rugged Black Hills.
Which is taller, the corn or the storm cloud just outside of Aberdeen? Photo by Jay Kirschenmann
South Dakota provides the perfect backdrop for toy photography.
The annual Dakota Marker game brought thousands to Brookings.
Fall color is at its peak in the Black Hills. Photo by John Mitchell
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