09/01/2026
💔 The world just lost an animal that lived for centuries…
The San Diego Zoo bids farewell to 'Gramma,' a 141-year-old Galápagos tortoise whose life spanned three centuries and two world wars.
Born in the Galápagos Islands around 1884, Gramma arrived at the San Diego Zoo in the late 1920s as part of a pioneering conservation effort. Over her remarkable 141-year lifespan, she became a living witness to history, enduring through two world wars, 20 U.S. presidencies, and two global pandemics. Known affectionately as the 'Queen of the Zoo,' her sweet and shy personality endeared her to generations of visitors who marveled at a creature whose journey began in the 19th century.
In November 2025, zoo officials made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Gramma due to progressive age-related bone conditions. As a powerful ambassador for her vulnerable species, she helped connect millions of people to the urgent need for reptile conservation. To honor her memory, the zoo encourages supporters to enjoy a salad of romaine lettuce and cactus fruit—her favorite treats. While Gramma is gone, her impact on the recovery of Galápagos tortoise populations remains a cornerstone of the San Diego Zoo’s historical mission.
source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2025). Remembering Gramma: A Legacy of Conservation and History. San Diego Zoo Newsroom.
