How old was Gramma the tortoise?

Gramma the tortoise was 141 years old when she passed away.

Why were Galapagos tortoises sent to zoos?

Galapagos tortoises were sent to zoos as part of early conservation efforts to protect them from extinction due to human exploitation and habitat threats.

Can zoos help save endangered species?

Yes, zoos can serve as safe havens and implement breeding programs for endangered species when their natural habitats become too threatened for survival.

Home / Environment / Gramma the Tortoise: How Captivity Saved a Species

Gramma the Tortoise: How Captivity Saved a Species

26 Jan

•

Summary

Gramma, a Galapagos tortoise, lived 141 years, witnessing significant historical events.
Early conservation efforts moved tortoises to zoos to prevent extinction.
Zoos can serve as a safe haven when an animal's natural habitat is threatened.

Gramma the Tortoise: How Captivity Saved a Species

Gramma, a Galapagos tortoise, lived an astonishing 141 years, a life spanning major global events and over 20 U.S. presidencies. She was born on the Galapagos Islands around 1884, a time when human exploitation severely threatened tortoise populations.

To combat extinction, conservationists began relocating Galapagos tortoises, including Gramma, to zoos across the United States in the early 1900s. Gramma's journey took her from the Bronx Zoo to the San Diego Zoo, where she became an ambassador for reptile conservation.

Zoos provided a sanctuary when the tortoises' natural habitat faced overwhelming threats from hunting and invasive species. This strategy aimed to create an "insurance" population, safeguarding species like the Española giant tortoise, which once numbered only 15 individuals.