The oldest inhabitant of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo ¿ a giant tortoise known as 'Crooked Nose' ¿ has returned to the facility following the successful removal of a benign tumour from his tail.

The 87-year-old spent a month recuperating at Endsmeet Animal Hospital after a two-hour operation to remove the tumour, estimated to be the size of a grapefruit.

The 400-pound tortoise was brought to Bermuda from the Galapagos in 1928, shortly after the Flatts facility opened ¿ and has lived there since.

Concerned about the giant tortoise's age and "the fact reptiles do not always fare well under anaesthetic", BAMZ staff delayed surgery as long as possible. However, they were forced into action once it was evident that 'Crooked Nose' was losing his appetite and moving less than usual.

"He was losing weight and not moving very much, so we decided to operate," said Ian Walker, the Aquarium curator and the veterinarian, who removed the tumour.

The giant tortoise was transported by trolley, then truck to Endsmeet where Dr. Walker carried out the surgery using heavy local anaesthetic in the animal's tail. 'Crooked Nose' spent a month recuperating in a pen at the hospital, but has now returned to BAMZ and is back in his outdoor enclosure.

"(The operation) went very well, and he has recovered nicely," said Dr. Walker. "We are very pleased with his recovery. He's been eating up a storm - and has also become newly interested in his female companion. The surgery gave him a new lease on life."

Galapagos tortoises are the world's largest tortoises, known to weigh more than 700 pounds and live to more than 200.

Said a BAMZ spokesperson: "Bermuda's captive colony is one of many set up in zoos worldwide in the last century, an effort to help save the tortoises from extinction. 'Crooked Nose' has been a public favourite, and today inhabits a large cage north of the flamingo enclosure which he shares with a 46-year-old female Galapagos tortoise named 'Sally'."

Regular patrons of BAMZ have been glad to see him back.

"He was missed by a number of visitors who inquired about where he'd gone," said zookeeper John Glynn.