Giant Aldabra tortoise

Scientific name: Diplochelys dussumieri
Situation in the wild: In danger of extinction
In the Jerusalem Zoo: 5 young individuals
The Giant Tortoise Exhibit was dedicated by The Israeli Friends of the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in honor of Teddy Kollek, who was the No. 1 friend of the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem. Teddy Kollek was former mayor of the Jerusalem from 1965 to 1993. During his time in office and after retirement, the zoo was a place close to Teddy's heart and he saw it as a central part of the city, its residents and its visitors. Teddy saw the zoo as a meeting ground's for all people whatever their religion, gender or ethnic background. The decision to build the Giant tortoise exhibit in honor of Teddy Kollek comes to symbolize the former mayor's vision. Even whilst planning the zoo's current location, Teddy envisioned the zoo becoming a center for wildlife conservation open to all. Step by step, Teddy's vision is coming true. In the same way, the Giant tortoise exhibit requires vision and perseverance. The Giant tortoises that have come to Jerusalem are still small in size, but will grow during the years to come and will reach their adult measures: shield length of 140 cm and weight of 250 kg. More so, they are likely to live up to 150 years! But despite the size and longevity of the Giant tortoise, they are today in danger of extinction and zoos around the world are actively trying to insure the existence of this picturesque creature.

Aldabra giant tortoises live naturally only in Aldabra – a small coral atoll in the Indian Ocean, North-West of Madagascar. In Aldabra, the tortoises inhabit a variety of areas, such as grassy planes, wooded areas, mangroves, sand dunes and sea shores. Aldabra tortoises were also brought to Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles by humans, and small populations still exist in these islands as well. Aldabra tortoises are mainly herbivores and eat grasses, leaves, buds and shrubs, but will also eat animal food, such as insects or carrion. They get most of the water they need from their food, as freshwater is not frequent in their native habitat. These are solitary animals, although several individuals may often be seen in the same area. The communication among the tortoises is limited almost entirely to reproduction. Aldabra tortoises are long-lived – in the wild it is estimated that they can live for 100-150 years and in captivity even more. In 2006 an Aldabra tortoise at Calcutta Zoo in India died and Zoo records showed that it was born around the year 1750, that is – it died at the age of about 250! Aldabra tortoises are the largest land tortoises – males can reach a length of up to 140 cm and weigh as much as 250 kg. The Aldabra tortoises were related to several similar species that lived in other Indian Ocean islands, but were all hunted to extinction by passing sailors. Aldabra tortoises are also endangered, mainly because of their small distribution area.