Tu'i Malila
A photo of Tu'i Malila's preserved body, 2002. | |
| Species | Astrochelys radiata |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Hatched | c. 1777 (claimed) Madagascar? |
| Died | May 16, 1966 (aged c.188–189) Tonga |
| Resting place | Royal Palace of Tonga |
Tu'i Malila (1777 – 16 May 1966) was a tortoise that Captain James Cook was traditionally said to have given to the royal family of Tonga. She was a female radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) from Madagascar. Although believed to have been a male during its life, examination after the tortoise's death suggested it was female.
The name means King Malila in the Tongan language.