San Diego Zoo's Beloved Galápagos Tortoise Gramma Passes Away at 141

Gramma, the cherished Galápagos tortoise and oldest resident of the San Diego Zoo, passed away at the remarkable age of 141 on November 20 due to health problems stemming from her advanced years.

Originally from her natural habitat, Gramma made her way to the San Diego Zoo from the Bronx Zoo, joining the zoo's initial group of Galápagos tortoises sometime between 1928 and 1931. Over the decades, she won the hearts of countless visitors with her gentle demeanor. Gramma observed significant historical moments, enduring two World Wars and the administrations of 20 U.S. presidents.

Zoo staff lovingly referred to her as “the Queen of the Zoo.” In her later years, she faced challenges with bone-related health issues, ultimately leading to the difficult choice of euthanasia.

Gramma’s impact was profound, leaving enduring memories for visitors across generations. Many recounted nostalgic visits to see her, filling their hearts with joy as they later introduced their own children to this renowned tortoise.

Known for their longevity, Galápagos tortoises can live over 100 years in the wild, with some reaching nearly double that in captivity. The oldest recorded was Harriet, who lived to be 175 at the Australia Zoo, passing in 2006.

These tortoises comprise 15 subspecies indigenous to the Galápagos Islands, with some now extinct and others listed as vulnerable or critically endangered. Conservation initiatives are in progress, with thousands of juvenile tortoises bred in captivity and reintroduced to the wild, aiding in the recovery of several subspecies.

Recently, there have been remarkable achievements in breeding Galápagos tortoises at several zoos, including the arrival of four baby tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo and a 135-year-old tortoise becoming a new father at Zoo Miami.

Gramma’s extraordinary life and kind spirit will be fondly remembered by all who encountered her. Her journey underscores the critical ongoing conservation efforts to protect these ancient animals for future generations.