If you’re reading that headline with some confusion, you obviously haven’t factored in ‘animal years’ in ageing.

Cocobello, a clearly beloved rooster owned by Ballito’s Donna Pegorini, lived to the ripe old age of 17 which – when multiplied by the apparently customary bird age calculator of 11 used at the time – equals 187 years.

The Courier report 35 years ago (March 1991) says the rooster was “likely the oldest in the Republic.”

According to readily available online sources, Cocobello could be one of the oldest recorded roosters in history – assuming the veracity of the age claim of course.

The current verified record appears to be Fred, a Rhode Island Red listed at 16 at the time of his death. Ballito truly does suit the older population after all!

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.