Goliath, a Galapagos tortoise that weighs 517 pounds and is the oldest animal at Zoo Miami, is celebrating an unusual double milestone this Father’s Day. He is turning 135 years old and is also becoming a father for the first time.
On June 4, after a period of 128 days of incubation, Goliath’s first child emerged from the egg. This event not only marked his first time as a father, but it also marked the first time that a Galapagos tortoise has ever born at Zoo Miami.
A clutch of eight eggs was laid on January 27th, and the hatchling emerged from that clutch.
A voyage that Goliath took from the Galapagos Islands to New York City and Miami
There is evidence that Goliath was born on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands on June 15, 1890, as stated in official records. Between the years 1929 and 1981, he was moved to the Bronx Zoo, then in 1981, he landed at Zoo Miami. Until recently, he has never been able to successfully sire a hatchling, according to Ron Magill, the director of communications for the Zoo Miami. This is despite the fact that he had previously attempted to breed with many females.
It is currently estimated that Sweet Pea, the mother, is between the ages of 85 and 100 years old. She arrived in 1960 at the zoo that had previously been known as Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. The combined age of the two individuals is greater than 200 years, which is what prompted Zoo Miami to submit an application to Guinness World Records for recognition as “The Oldest First-Time Father in History” and maybe as “The Oldest First-Time Parents in History.”
It is a momentous occasion when the first Galapagos turtle hatches at the Miami Zoo.
Despite the fact that both Goliath and Sweet Pea are in good condition and are on exhibit at their public habitat, they are not aware of the hatchling, which is consistent with their typical behaviour. When they are released into the wild, Galapagos tortoise hatchlings do not get any form of parental care. Magill stated that the young tortoise has been withdrawn from the incubator and placed in a separate inclosure, where it is currently engaged in activities and is in good health.
“This Father’s Day will be extra special at Zoo Miami as we not only celebrate Goliath’s birthday, but we also celebrate how the stars have finally aligned to make him a father for the first time in his amazing 135-year life,” Magill stated in a statement issued by the organization. “He is an inspiration to never give up hope.”
