OLD TORTOISE AMONG CRITTERS AT SEMO FAIR

Ozzie was just a youngster during the U.S. Civil War.

The 155-year-old turtle -- make that tortoise -- is on display at the Southeast Missouri District Fair this week.

The tortoise, which measures about three to four feet long, is just one of many animals -- and reptiles -- which can be found at the fair this week, in addition to the many farm animals and birds on hand.

"A lot of people question Ozzie's age," said Dave Hale, who bought the tortoise more than 20 years ago. "I just tell them that I know how old he is because I raised him from a small turtle."

Seriously, he's probably a little older than 155, added Hale, of 5-H Exotic Animal Ranch, which is providing a number of exotic animals at the fair.

Ozzie would have been born in 1844, 16 years before the war between the states.

"The turtle's age is estimated by markings on his shell," said Hale, of the 600-pound tortoise, now owned by the Hale's daughter and family, Jim and Pam Phillips, of East Prairie.

The Phillips' son, Cooper, 6, knows how to get Ozzie's attention.

"Rub his neck and he'll follow you anywhere," said Cooper, who has taken a ride or two on the giant tortoise.

Ozzie is one of two Aldabra Island tortoises owned by the Phillips.

"We have another one, ~`Rocket,' which is about 120 years old," said Pam Phillips.

The tortoise is from a family of more than 50 species, found in Africa, Asia, Europe, South American and the Aldabra and Galapagos Island.

The tortoises from Ozzie's native island are among the world's largest land turtles, which often live to be 300 years old, and weigh more than 600 pounds.

Kangaroos, camels, zebras, Emus, giraffes and small deer may be observed at one of the two petting areas.

A visit to the Missouri Department of Conservation shed presents another group of rare animals -- a bobcat, albino raccoon, and woodchuck. Also at the conservation booth are four different species of snakes, including a timber rattler and a copperhead. Fish of types -- bass, catfish, crappie, perch, carp -- are on display at the booth.

"We never know just what animals will be at the fair," said E. E. Abbott, a conservation officer from Perryville. "It all depends on what we may have at the time."

The white raccoon is an oddity, said Abbott. And, although the bobcat is familiar to the southern half of the state, "you don't see them very often."

The animals at the conservation booth here will be released back into the wilds in the near future. "Most of them were probably taken in because of an injury and rehabilitated."

Another animal -- sort of -- a mechanical bull is attracting attention at the fair. Many would-be riders have tried a hand at riding the bull, but more often than not, they wind up on the giant mattress deck.

Fairgoers also have an opportunity to see a rare animal event about 6:30 each evening, when Hale hooks up the "Dromedary Hitch" -- a team of eight camels towing a wagon.

"At one time in early circus history, camel hitches were popular," said Hale. "During the years, 1908-1911, Ringling Brothers Circus always included a camel hitch in parades."

These were discarded by 1911 and Hale's camel hitch is probably the only one in the United States today.