Zoo Atlanta mourns loss of Patches the giant tortoise

ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta announced Saturday morning that “Patches,” their female Aldabra giant tortoise, has died.

The zoo said their Animal Care and Veterinary Teams had been treating her over the past few days due to changes in her physical condition and behavior. They said she had been lethargic, had fluid build-up, a lack of appetite and weakness.

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Doctors said they took a CT scan which showed multiple health issues including a large mass in her body cavity and because it was severely limiting her quality of life, they made the painful decision to euthanize her Saturday morning.

Patches had been a part of the zoo since Zoo Atlanta got her from another zoo in 1994. They did not have an official age, but the zoo believes Patches was in her 70s or 80s.

“We are very saddened by the loss of Patches. She was a wonderful link for so many people to the fascination of reptiles and to the key role that tortoises play in their ecosystems wherever they are found,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “It is not difficult to make connections with an animal such as a gorilla or a giant panda or a giraffe. Some people find it more challenging to connect with reptiles, which makes Patches’ legacy all the more extraordinary. She had a personality on par with her size, and she will be dearly missed.”

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The zoo houses two other Aldabra tortoises. Shuffles is the male and Corky is the female. They said both are believed to be about the same age as Patches. The tortoises are the oldest animals who make their home at Zoo Atlanta. According to the zoo, Aldabra turtles are found only on the islands of he Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean off of the east coast of Africa.

Their life span can run over 100 years. The Atoll where they are from is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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