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

MIAMI — 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 my hero, and I believe he will soon serve as an inspiration to many!” Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill mentioned in a statement. “He exemplifies that where there’s determination, there is a way, and one should never surrender!”

From a clutch of eight eggs laid on January 27, one successfully hatched on June 4, as confirmed by officials. Not only is this the first offspring for Goliath, but it’s also the inaugural instance of a hatchling from this endangered species at Zoo Miami. Historically, the species’ numbers tumbled before the 20th century due to human activities and the introduction of non-native species to the Galapagos Islands. Present-day threats include climate change and loss of habitat.

Goliath’s official documentation states he hatched on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos around June 15, between the years 1885 and 1890. This cluster of islands is positioned near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, several hundred miles west of Ecuador’s mainland.

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.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Are You a HENRY?

Do You Identify as a High-Earning Not Rich Yet (HENRY)?

(NerdWallet) – No, we’re not asking your name. And we promise we’re…
New Jersey Coast Guard swimmer rescues nearly 200 people in deadly Texas flash floods

Heroic Coast Guard Swimmer from New Jersey Saves Close to 200 Lives in Texas Flash Flood Disaster

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer from New Jersey is being hailed as…
Woman being interviewed in front of a red car.

Erin Patterson, Dubbed the “Mushroom Cook,” Convicted of Fatally Poisoning In-laws with Deathcap Mushrooms at Lunch

THE infamous “mushroom cook” has been found guilty of murdering her in-laws…
Jacksonville travelers return home smoothly following July 4th

Jacksonville Holiday Travelers Enjoy Easy Return After Independence Day

JAX Airport smoothly handled a surge of travelers during the busiest Fourth…
Travis Decker, suspect in the murders of three young girls.

Search Intensifies for Father Travis Decker After New ‘Sighting’ Weeks Post Alleged Murder of His 3 Children

Authorities investigating the case of missing fugitive Travis Decker are now focusing…
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm out of Subway Series lineup with shoulder issue

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Misses Subway Series Game Due to Shoulder Problem

The Yankees, struggling with a six-game losing streak and several player absences,…
DHS Says Mainstream Media 'Deliberately Lying' in Coverage of Events Leading Up to Catastrophic TX Flood

DHS Accuses Mainstream Media of Intentionally Misleading Reports About Events Before Devastating Texas Flood

There are accusations ranging from the influence of DOGE to budget reductions…
Camp Mystic director dies while trying to save kids during Texas flooding

Camp Mystic Leader Tragically Passes While Rescuing Children from Texas Floodwaters

The camp director and co-owner of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, tragically…
Death toll in Central Texas flash floods nears 70 as sheriff says 11 campers remain missing

Central Texas Flash Floods: Nearly 70 Dead, 11 Campers Still Missing, Says Sheriff

In Kerville, Texas, the count of fatalities from the Central Texas flash…
Bodies of all 7 missing people found at a California fireworks warehouse that exploded

All 7 Missing Individuals Found Dead in Explosion at California Fireworks Warehouse

ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) — In Northern California, the bodies of all seven…
Man wearing a black Los Angeles shirt and gold jewelry.

Rapper 4xtra Accidentally Injures Fingers in July 4th Fireworks Mishap Following Controversial Video

A RAPPER and podcaster reportedly lost two fingers in a horror July…
Tropical Storm Chantal downgraded to tropical depression

Tropical Storm Chantal Weakens to Tropical Depression

Tropical Storm Chantal has now been downgraded to a tropical depression after…