Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father's Day at Zoo Miami
Share this @internewscast.com

MIAMI (AP) — A South Florida zoo’s oldest resident celebrated his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day on Sunday.

Goliath, a 517-pound (234-kilogram) Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, became a father for the first time earlier this month, zoo officials said.

“Goliath is a true inspiration to me, and I am confident he will soon inspire many more!” stated Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill. “He exemplifies the idea that determination paves the way forward and that one should never give up!”

Officials reported that out of a clutch of eight eggs laid on January 27, one egg successfully hatched on June 4. This marks not only Goliath’s first offspring but also the first time one of these endangered reptiles has hatched at Zoo Miami. The population of these animals significantly decreased before the 20th century due to human exploitation and the introduction of invasive species to the Galapagos Islands. Today, they face threats from climate change and habitat destruction.

Goliath’s records indicate he hatched on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos on June 15, sometime between 1885 and 1890. This island group, situated near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, lies several hundred miles to the west of mainland Ecuador.

Goliath arrived at the Bronx Zoo in 1929 and moved to Zoo Miami in 1981. He has bred with several different females during his time at Zoo Miami, but he has never sired an offspring. The new hatchling’s mother, Sweet Pea, is estimated to be between 85 and 100 years old.

Both parents are doing well in their public habitat, officials said. The hatchling appears to be healthy in a separate enclosure. Wild hatchlings are not raised by their parents.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Join TIMSC for an Informative Dolphin Evening with Expert Insights

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. () — The Tybee Island Marine Science Center (TIMSC)…

Mass Chorus Gathering Celebrates Estonia’s Rich Cultural Heritage

TALLINN – Over 21,000 choir singers filled the rainy air with their…

“Search for Missing Children and Adults Continues Today in Kerrville: Expect Challenges”

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Kerrville and Kerr County provided another…

"Challenging Day Ahead: Search Continues for Missing Children and Adults in Kerrville"

AUSTIN (KXAN) The city of Kerrville and Kerr County provided another update…

Mahomet-Seymour’s Campion Concludes SEC Throwing Career

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — When Costen Campion arrived in Oxford, Mississippi, his…

How Weather Contributed to the Devastating Flash Floods in Texas

WASHINGTON – The air was saturated with moisture, which powered a slow-moving…

Ozzy Osbourne bids goodbye to live concerts with a final show for 40,000 fans in his hometown

LONDON – Rock legends and around 40,000 fans came together for a…

US Tariffs on European Goods Could Disrupt Major Global Trade Partnership

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) America’s largest trade partner, the European Union, is among…

Tropical Storm Chantal Gains Strength Approaching South Carolina Landfall

MIAMI – Tropical Storm Chantal intensified as it neared the southeastern coast…

Another Drowning Incident Occurs on Hunting Island

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office (BCCO) reported…

Six Fire Departments from Logan County Respond to Lincoln House and Garage Fire

LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — Late Friday night, six fire agencies from Logan…

Kristi Noem Discusses Texas Storm Warning Alerts and Related Concerns

Flooding has led to an annual average of over 125 fatalities in…