Fort Worth Zoo Fort Worth Zoo: Home to the largest known Aldabra giant tortoise?

[DJD Zoo Pals]

Hello Zoochatters,

This is my first post here so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules, but I've run into a dead end while doing some research that I figure you all might be able to help me with.

Recently I've been digging into the largest recorded individual Aldabra tortoises. While there seems to be agreement that a male individual ("Esmeralda") on Bird Island in the Seychelles is the largest free-living Aldabra at 304 kg, I've found multiple references that claim there is a male at the Fort Worth Zoo that weighed in a whopping 363 kg. While I've been able to find a good number of sources and some very impressive pictures of the Bird Island individual, I've had no such luck with the fabled Fort Worth titan. The sources I've found which proport its existence all read like they might just be uncritically regurgitating the same information, and thus far I've been unable to find its point source. So far as I can tell the zoo has never shared any information about such a specimen on their social media, which seems odd considering the draw having one of the world's largest tortoises would be.

So I ask, can anyone substantiate the existence of a massive male Aldabra tortoise at the Fort Worth Zoo? Any leads would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

-DJD

 

[Zorro]

Hello Zoochatters,

This is my first post here so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules, but I've run into a dead end while doing some research that I figure you all might be able to help me with.

Recently I've been digging into the largest recorded individual Aldabra tortoises. While there seems to be agreement that a male individual ("Esmeralda") on Bird Island in the Seychelles is the largest free-living Aldabra at 304 kg, I've found multiple references that claim there is a male at the Fort Worth Zoo that weighed in a whopping 363 kg. While I've been able to find a good number of sources and some very impressive pictures of the Bird Island individual, I've had no such luck with the fabled Fort Worth titan. The sources I've found which proport its existence all read like they might just be uncritically regurgitating the same information, and thus far I've been unable to find its point source. So far as I can tell the zoo has never shared any information about such a specimen on their social media, which seems odd considering the draw having one of the world's largest tortoises would be.

So I ask, can anyone substantiate the existence of a massive male Aldabra tortoise at the Fort Worth Zoo? Any leads would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

-DJD

Have you contacted Fort Worth zoo?.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Hello Zoochatters,

This is my first post here so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules, but I've run into a dead end while doing some research that I figure you all might be able to help me with.

Recently I've been digging into the largest recorded individual Aldabra tortoises. While there seems to be agreement that a male individual ("Esmeralda") on Bird Island in the Seychelles is the largest free-living Aldabra at 304 kg, I've found multiple references that claim there is a male at the Fort Worth Zoo that weighed in a whopping 363 kg. While I've been able to find a good number of sources and some very impressive pictures of the Bird Island individual, I've had no such luck with the fabled Fort Worth titan. The sources I've found which proport its existence all read like they might just be uncritically regurgitating the same information, and thus far I've been unable to find its point source. So far as I can tell the zoo has never shared any information about such a specimen on their social media, which seems odd considering the draw having one of the world's largest tortoises would be.

So I ask, can anyone substantiate the existence of a massive male Aldabra tortoise at the Fort Worth Zoo? Any leads would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

-DJD

Mmmm, I would not bet my life on it! Nothing too scientific or real data driven about such claims. I certainly have not heard of it .... Not saying it aint possible, just I remain a positive sceptic.... on the issue. Open to real data and information on which basis to determine the weighting or longevity of giant tortoises..... though!

I have seen too many outlandish stories regarding giant tortoises or the Espanola Galapagos tortoises Chelonoidis hoodensis for example where the connection between the erstwhile SDZ resident Diego is linked to an outlandish number of offspring versus the other original 14 (2.12) Espanola Galapagos tortoises. I must admit it becomes tiresome and a huge effort to debunk some of these myths and legend.

Another peeve that comes to mind and one that goes through most pages and pages of surf data is the example of F Harriet in Australia ... and her history and longevity (truth is ... she aint that old...). Alas the worst thing is that really everyone over the entire spectrum and full board seem to quote and unquote the same ballooney without even the merest of checking up the real facts. That is ... Lest you ask the right questions, because if you do .... Then the posters or other go all silent and give you some of that wonderful total radio silence. Ignorance is not a bliss, it is a perception and the standard position of the Lazy Many.

BTW: I will check out the stories myself and will go through some of my compendium books on giant tortoises just to please you and hopefully dig up the real informations for you. Cannot promise it will work out fine... or not.

 

[DJD Zoo Pals]

Have you contacted Fort Worth zoo?. @Kifaru Bwana

I have not yet. I figured I'd ask the community here first to see if there was anything I was missing in my search. Depending on what other Zoochatters might be able to contribute I may send them an email to try and get a definitive word on the subject.

-DJD