Gramma, tortoise who lived through two world wars, dies aged 141
20 hours ago
- #longevity
- #conservation
- #Galapagos tortoise
- Gramma, the oldest Galapagos tortoise at San Diego Zoo, died at 141 years old.
- She arrived at the zoo in the late 1920s from the Bronx Zoo and was beloved by visitors.
- Gramma lived through two world wars and 20 US presidents, earning the nickname 'Queen of the Zoo.'
- She was euthanized due to age-related bone conditions.
- Visitors shared nostalgic memories of interacting with her over the years.
- Galapagos tortoises can live over 100 years in the wild and nearly double that in captivity.
- Harriet, the oldest known Galapagos tortoise, lived to 175 years.
- Of the 15 Galapagos tortoise subspecies, three are extinct, and the rest are vulnerable or critically endangered.
- Conservation efforts have led to over 10,000 juveniles being released into the wild since 1965.
- Recent breeding successes include baby tortoises born to 100-year-old parents in Philadelphia and a 135-year-old first-time father in Miami.