Gramma, a Galápagos tortoise whose life on the San Diego Zoo spanned greater than 20 presidents, two world wars and two pandemics, has died.
Believed to be 141 years outdated, the tortoise whom the zoo described on social media as “a witness to historical past, a beloved icon, and a rare ambassador for her species,” was euthanized on Thursday due to deteriorating bones brought on by her age.
“She was being expertly supported for ongoing circumstances associated to her age, and wildlife well being and care groups made the tough and compassionate resolution to say goodbye,” in line with a press release from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Referred to as “the Queen of the Zoo” by her tenders, Gramma is believed to have been introduced to the San Diego facility with different Galápagos tortoises between 1928 and 1931, shortly after the zoo’s grand opening in 1923. Though it’s unclear precisely when she was born, specialists estimate that she was roughly 141 outdated, making her the oldest resident of the zoo.
“A candy and shy tortoise, she quietly touched the lives of numerous folks over practically a century in San Diego,” the alliance mentioned.
In asserting Gramma’s loss of life, the zoo posted video of her munching on vegetarian meals — romaine lettuce and cactus fruit had been explicit favorites — and meandering round her habitat and lazily plodding by a pond.
“In her reminiscence, we invite you to take pleasure in a beneficiant, fruit-filled salad, a particular tribute for a really particular tortoise,” the zoo’s social media put up mentioned.
