Queen of the San Diego Zoo Passes Peacefully at 141

The San Diego Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved residents. Gramma, a Galápagos tortoise who spent nearly a century charming visitors with her calm, quiet presence, has died at an estimated age of 141.

She was the zoo’s oldest living resident and a gentle reminder of nature’s quiet resilience.

Gramma passed away peacefully, according to zoo officials. While her exact birth year is unknown, records suggest she hatched sometime in the 1880s—decades before automobiles were common or radios filled the airwaves. She arrived at the San Diego Zoo around 1928, transferred from the Bronx Zoo as part of an early animal exchange program.

In her lifetime, Gramma witnessed the world change dramatically, even if she remained cheerfully unaware of it. She lived through two world wars, saw 20 U.S. presidents come and go, and became a living link to a slower, more patient past. While humans raced ahead, Gramma never hurried.

“She was sweet and shy,” said one longtime zookeeper. “Visitors would often linger at her habitat, just watching her move through the sun or nibble on greens. There was something peaceful about her that people responded to.”

Gramma’s long life at the zoo made her a favorite among generations of families. Children who visited her in the 1950s brought their grandchildren to see her in the 2000s. In a fast-paced world, she was a rare constant—always steady, always graceful.

Though Gramma lived a long and remarkable life, she was not the oldest tortoise on record. That title belongs to Harriet, another Galápagos tortoise once cared for by both Charles Darwin and later Steve Irwin of The Crocodile Hunter fame. Harriet lived to at least 176 years old, passing away in 2006.

Still, Gramma’s life span is extraordinary, even by tortoise standards. Most Galápagos tortoises live between 100 and 150 years, depending on care and environment. The San Diego Zoo provided her with optimal conditions, specialized veterinary care, and a carefully managed habitat—all of which contributed to her impressive longevity.

In recent years, Gramma moved more slowly and spent more time resting in her favorite sunny spots. Zookeepers say she remained in good spirits and showed no signs of distress before her passing.

“She was a calm soul,” one caretaker shared. “Even on busy zoo days with crowds and noise, Gramma had this way of making the world seem quiet.”

Her passing marks the end of an era for the San Diego Zoo, where she had become something of a legend. For the staff who cared for her, and for visitors who met her even once, Gramma leaves behind a legacy of gentle wonder.

The zoo plans to honor her memory with a special display celebrating her life, including photos, stories from keepers, and educational materials about Galápagos tortoises and their endangered status in the wild.

For now, the space she once occupied remains quiet. Just as she lived—slow, steady, and full of quiet dignity—Gramma takes her final rest as a true queen of the animal kingdom.