A South Florida zoo celebrated a remarkable milestone as its oldest resident, Goliath, a 517-pound Galapagos tortoise, turned 135 years old and welcomed his first offspring, coinciding with Father’s Day. Zoo Miami officials shared that Goliath became a father earlier this month, marking a significant event for the endangered species.
Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill praised Goliath, calling him a hero and an inspiration, symbolizing determination and resilience. Out of eight eggs laid on January 27, one successfully hatched on June 4, marking the first Galapagos tortoise hatch at Zoo Miami. The species faced drastic population declines before the 20th century due to human exploitation and invasive species introduction to the Galapagos Islands, with current threats including climate change and habitat loss.
Goliath’s official records show he hatched on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos between 1885 and 1890. After arriving at the Bronx Zoo in 1929, he was transferred to Zoo Miami in 1981. Although Goliath has mated with various females at Zoo Miami, this is his first known offspring. The hatchling’s mother, Sweet Pea, is estimated to be between 85 and 100 years old.
Both Goliath and Sweet Pea are reported to be healthy in their public habitat, while the hatchling is thriving in a separate enclosure. In the wild, Galapagos tortoise hatchlings are not cared for by their parents.
