Post by : Rameen Ariff

The San Diego Zoo has lost its precious resident, Gramma, the Galápagos tortoise, who lived to be around 141 years old. She passed away on November 20 after facing health challenges related to her advanced age.

Gramma was born in her natural environment and arrived at the San Diego Zoo from the Bronx Zoo between 1928 and 1931 as part of the first group of Galápagos tortoises. Over the decades, her gentle and timid demeanor endeared her to countless visitors. Gramma experienced numerous significant historical moments, surviving through two World Wars and the tenures of 20 U.S. presidents.

Zoo staff affectionately named her “the Queen of the Zoo.” In her twilight years, she battled bone-related health issues, leading to the heartbreaking choice to euthanize her.

Her remarkable presence created lasting memories for visitors of all ages. Many people reminisced about their childhood visits to see her and cherished the opportunity to introduce their own children to the iconic tortoise.

Galápagos tortoises are renowned for their remarkable life spans, often exceeding 100 years in the wild and sometimes nearly double that in a controlled environment. The oldest known Galápagos tortoise, named Harriet, lived an impressive 175 years at Australia Zoo before passing away in 2006.

These tortoises represent 15 subspecies indigenous to the Galápagos Islands. While three subspecies are lost to extinction, the others remain vulnerable or critically endangered. An ongoing conservation initiative has seen thousands of juvenile tortoises bred in captivity and reintroduced into the wild, aiding in the recovery of several subspecies.

Notable achievements in Galápagos tortoise breeding have recently surfaced at various zoos. These include the hatching of four baby tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo and a 135-year-old tortoise becoming a proud new father at Zoo Miami.

Gramma’s remarkable life and kind spirit will be lovingly remembered by all fortunate enough to encounter her. Her story serves as a vital reminder of the significance of conservation efforts dedicated to these ancient species and the need to safeguard their survival for the future.

#Global News