Celebrate Gus's Birthday at the Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History will celebrate Gus the gopher tortoise's 89th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Gus, who has been with the museum since the 1940s as its animal ambassador, is one of the most popular attractions of the museum.

Gus's birthday, or hatch-day as it is called at the museum, will feature cake, refreshments and an opportunity to sign a card for Gus.

Gus was born in 1922 in Florida and grew up at a reptile park. In 1942, the director of the former Provincial Museum met Gus and brought him to Halifax to live in the museum on Spring Garden Road. Gus moved with the museum to its Summer Street location in 1970.

The Museum of Natural History will be open for regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the weekend.

For more information go to http://nature.museum.gov.ns.ca or call 902-424-7353.