San Diego Zoo has suffered a devastating loss. The zoo confirmed that Gramma the Galápagos Tortoise has died. She was the oldest animal at the establishment.
The zoo confirmed on Instagram that the amphibian has died. In a tribute to Gramma, the zoo reflected on its life, which stretched to 141 years old.
The zoo wrote, "For nearly a century, Gramma the Galápagos tortoise has been a quiet and constant presence at the Zoo, a witness to history, a beloved icon, and an extraordinary ambassador for her species. It is with immense sadness that we share her passing on November 20."
The zoo continued, "Gramma's dedicated wildlife care specialists and her expert health team had been closely monitoring her ongoing bone conditions related to advanced age, and as these conditions recently progressed, they made the compassionate and exceptionally difficult decision to say goodbye."
Gramma The Galápagos Tortoise Dies
Since 1928, Gramma has been a part of the zoo. This early life before the zoo remains a bit of a mystery.
The zoo explained, "Gramma's storied legacy at the Zoo spans nearly the entire history of the institution itself. She arrived between 1928-1931 as part of the first group of Galápagos tortoises to come to the Zoo. Born in her native habitat, her exact birth date remains unknown, though experts estimate she may have reached the incredible age of 141 years, which would have made her the oldest individual thriving at the Zoo."
The zoo workers are mourning the loss of the animal. They reflected on just how much history Gramma has lived through. This includes multiple wars, presidents, and pandemics.
They wrote, "It is astonishing to consider what Gramma lived through in her lifetime. While enjoying sunshine, endless herbivorous snacks, and puddles in her habitats throughout Reptile Mesa, this sweet, shy tortoise observed the Zoo's creation and evolution. As the world around her experienced more than 20 U.S. presidents, two World Wars, and two pandemics, she gently touched countless lives over nearly a century in San Diego as an ambassador for reptile conservation worldwide."
