The San Diego Zoo’s most senior resident, Gramma, a Galapagos tortoise, has passed away at the remarkable age of 141, surpassing all her caretakers. Gramma, who hailed from her natural habitat, breathed her last on Thursday, as confirmed by zoo authorities. While the exact date of her arrival at the San Diego Zoo remains unclear, it is known that she was part of the initial group of Galapagos tortoises transferred from the Bronx Zoo in 1928 or 1931.
Known for her gentle and shy demeanor, Gramma charmed visitors throughout her life, witnessing two world wars and the tenure of 20 U.S. presidents. Fondly referred to as “the Queen of the Zoo” by her caretakers, Gramma was recently euthanized due to age-related bone conditions.
Many patrons took to social media to reminisce about their encounters with Gramma, recalling childhood visits and later returning with their own children. One visitor, Cristina Park, shared how her early visit to the San Diego Zoo inspired her lifelong interest in tortoises and conservation efforts.
Galapagos tortoises, comprising 15 subspecies, have faced challenges with three subspecies declared extinct and others categorized as vulnerable or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, have led to the successful resurrection of some subspecies from the brink of extinction.
In a recent milestone, the Philadelphia Zoo celebrated the birth of four baby Galapagos tortoises to parents around a century old, marking a historic event at the zoo. Similarly, at Zoo Miami, Goliath, a 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise, became a first-time father in June.
The longevity of Galapagos tortoises is renowned, with the oldest known tortoise, Harriet, living until 175 years old at the Australia Zoo. Harriet, collected from the Galapagos Islands in 1835, passed away in 2006, making her one of the longest-lived tortoises on record.
These remarkable creatures can survive for over a century in the wild and nearly double that lifespan in captivity, serving as living testaments to resilience and longevity in the animal kingdom.