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150 Year Old Turtle Dies At Newport Aquarium

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Newport Aquarium
Thunder, the aquarium’s 150 lb. alligator snapping turtle, has died.";

The Newport Aquarium reports one of its oldest and most popular animals has died. Thunder, the 150 pound alligator snapping turtle died Tuesday.

She was estimated to be around 150 years old.

The aquarium says an animal autopsy is complete but the cause of death won't be known for several weeks.

In a news release, the Aquarium says:

Thunder was discovered in a Louisiana seafood market in the late 1990’s when it was legal to take alligator snapping turtles from the wild for commerce. She was rescued because of her size, and sent to a Missouri farm where Newport Aquarium found her. At the aquarium, she spent most of her time in exhibits near Gator Alley and most recently in Canyon Falls.

According to National Geographic, alligator snappers live in canals, rivers and lakes. They are found almost exclusively in the southeastern United States and have a life span of 20 to 70 years in the wild.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.