The San Diego Zoo is mourning the loss of its oldest and most cherished resident, a Galapagos tortoise named Gramma, who has died at the estimated age of 141. For over a century, she delighted visitors with her gentle nature, living through monumental world events and becoming a living legend.
A Century of Life and Legacy
Gramma was born in her native Galapagos Islands habitat around 1882. She arrived at the San Diego Zoo from the Bronx Zoo in either 1928 or 1931, forming part of the zoo's inaugural group of Galapagos tortoises. Her favourite treats were romaine lettuce and cactus fruit.
Affectionately known as "the Queen of the Zoo" by her care specialists, Gramma possessed a sweet and shy personality that captivated generations. Her incredible lifespan meant she witnessed two World Wars and the terms of 20 U.S. presidents.
Her life came to a peaceful end on November 20. The zoo reported that she was suffering from age-related bone conditions that recently progressed, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize her.
Touching Generations of Visitors
The news of her passing sparked an outpouring of memories on social media, where many shared stories of visiting Gramma as children and then returning decades later with their own kids.
Cristina Park, 69, recounted one of her earliest childhood memories: visiting the San Diego Zoo at three or four years old and riding on the back of a tortoise. While such interactions are no longer permitted, the experience had a profound impact. "Just how amazing it is that they managed to live through so much," Park reflected. "And yet they’re still there." The encounter inspired her to keep a desert tortoise as a pet and learn about tortoise conservation.
The Fight to Save a Species
Gramma's story highlights the fascinating biology and precarious situation of her kind. Galapagos tortoises can live over 100 years in the wild and nearly double that in captivity. The record is held by Harriet, a tortoise who lived to be 175 at the Australia Zoo.
These giants face significant threats. Of the 15 subspecies of Galapagos tortoises, three are extinct, and the rest are classified as vulnerable or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
However, there is hope. Concerted captive breeding efforts over past decades have been successful. Since 1965, more than 10,000 juvenile tortoises have been released into the wild, according to the Galapagos Conservancy, bringing some subspecies back from the brink of extinction.
Recent births offer continued promise. In a historic first for the Philadelphia Zoo, four baby Galapagos tortoises were born in April to first-time parents who are roughly 100 years old. Similarly, Zoo Miami's resident, Goliath, became a first-time father in June at the ripe age of 135.
Gramma's long life not only provided joy to millions but also stands as a testament to the resilience of her species and the ongoing importance of dedicated conservation work.
