California, USA – The San Diego Zoo in California announced the passing of Gramma, a giant tortoise and one of the oldest creatures the zoo had housed for nearly a century. Zoo officials estimated her age at approximately 141 years, making her one of the longest-living tortoises in the zoo’s history.
Gramma arrived in San Diego in the late 1920s—either 1928 or 1931—from the Bronx Zoo as part of the first group of Galapagos tortoises to be admitted to the zoo’s care programs. Since then, she has become an icon of the zoo and its most consistent visitor across generations.
Throughout her long life, she witnessed countless events, including two world wars, the election of dozens of American presidents, and scientific and technological revolutions that changed the face of the world. Yet she remained at her own quiet pace, greeting visitors with a shy, tortoise-like smile.
In her later years, Gramma suffered from health problems related to her bones and advancing age. This led the veterinary team to make the compassionate decision to end her suffering after her condition deteriorated.
Her departure sparked a wave of nostalgia. Thousands of visitors shared memories of visiting her since childhood, considering her as much a part of the city’s history as she was a part of the park.
With the passing of Gramma, San Diego loses one of its most important natural landmarks. Its story, however, remains a testament to the ability of some creatures to silently accompany history for nearly a century and a half.
