Source: Zoo Zürich / Swiss Friends of the Galapagos
It was not a bunny that bought an Easter surprise to Zoo Zürich, but the Galapagos Giant tortoise "Nigrita". And her surprise was also well hidden, buried in the sand of the Tortoise enclosure. It consisted of seven eggs - one of which was damaged - but the other six were all intact and moved to the incubator.
Unique Galapagos giant tortoise breeding success at Zoo Zürich
Outside the Galapagos Archipelago, successful breeding is still quite rare. Zoo Zürich is the only institution in the old world breeding the Giant tortoises on a regular basis. This is due to their long-time experience in tortoise husbandry (Nigrita came to Zoo Zürich in 1946 and Jumbo, her mate, in 1962) and the regular scientific work done at the Zoo and in the Charles Darwin Research Station.
There are three main factors contributing to this success:
- The design of the enclosure optimally combines light and temperature
- There is only a short distance between the summer and winter holding areas so a long acclimatisation period is not necessary
- Committed staff, under Head keeper Jürg Rohner, care for the tortoises and in addition, good veterinary supplies are essential for their daily care
And finally, it is also due to the good relationship between Nigrita and Jumbo that, for more than 19 years, Zoo Zürich has been successfully breeding the giant tortoises.
The last successful hatchlings are from February 29th and March 5th 2008 - youngsters Number 51, 52, and 53! They hatched after an incubation period of 117 to 122 days, with an incubation temperature of about 29.5C. Six weeks after hatching, they now weigh between 60 and 78 grams - still a long way to go to reach their father Jumbo with his almost 200 kg!
There are two more clutches with a total of 18 eggs in the incubator at the moment and, with the clutch laid at Easter time, there should be more young tortoises hatching later this year.
Zoo Zürich also keeps the European Studbook for the Galapagos giant tortoises. There are currently 53 animals registered in 12 institutions, all of them ambassadors for the unique and vulnerable fauna of the Galapagos Islands.
