Requiem For A Tortoise: Chuck, Berkshire Museum’s Reptile, Passes Away
With heavy hearts, the staff at the Berkshire Museum announced that Chuck, the museum’s beloved red-footed tortoise, passed away during the night of Monday, March 29. A resident of the museum’s Aquarium since 1986, Chuck was estimated to be close to 80 years old – more than 30 years past the expected lifespan for his species.
Chuck came to the museum after spending the first half of his life as a pet in a New York City apartment. During his 35 years at the museum, Chuck was a favorite attraction for visitors of all ages and was an invaluable part of the museum’s educational programs. Clad in a diaper, Chuck often roamed outside his Aquarium enclosure for children’s lessons. In mild weather, Chuck was often spotted on the museum’s front lawn enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh dandelions. According to Aquarium staff, the red-footed tortoise was always curious about what was going on in the world around him, loved interacting with visitors, and – perhaps due to his time in the apartment — often behaved like a family pet, enjoying treats of fresh fruit, welcoming scrubbing and scratching of his shell, and greeting his caregivers with excitement each day.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chuck the Tortoise. He was a unique and cherished member of the museum and our community,” shared Jeff Rodgers, Berkshire Museum’s Executive Director. "Some animals are ambassadors for their species and for the natural world. Generations have come to understand and respect our connections to the living world through their interactions with Chuck. He’ll be missed, but his legacy will live on.”
The red-footed tortoise will be cremated and his ashes returned to the Berkshire Museum. For now, the museum is collecting stories and photos of Chuck which will be used to create a small memorial at his Aquarium enclosure. To share their stories and photos, members of the community are encouraged to email info@berkshiremuseum.org or visit the website.
Chuck enjoys sunshine, green grass, and his favorite snack of dandelions on a spring day.
Please Support Rural Intelligence
We want to continue delivering the entertaining, informative and upbeat stories in the inimitable Rural Intelligence style, despite a pandemic. But we need your support to keep us going. Please consider making a donation; even a small amount helps secure our future. Support us now.
(If you prefer, mail a check to: 45 Pine Grove Ave., Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.)
Support Now