Zoo mourns death of Othello, a giant tortoise that was ‘well over 100 years old’

ST. LOUIS (Gray News) – The Saint Louis Zoo is mourning the death of one of its oldest residents – an Aldabra giant tortoise that was well over 100 years old.

The zoo said the tortoise named Othello was humanely euthanized on April 8 due to declining health from a gastrointestinal issue.

Zoo staff said they didn’t know Othello’s exact age, but they know he was at least 100.

Othello and his buddy Ray, who is still living at the Saint Louis Zoo, arrived in the United States as mature adults in 1938 – a whopping 87 years ago. Experts they were at least “several decades” old when they came to the U.S. because Aldabra giant tortoises take that long to reach their full size. Thus, Othello was well over 100 years old when he died.

Othello and Ray joined the Saint Louis Zoo from another accredited zoo in 2004, officials said.

Othello is being remembered as a guest favorite who had “a warm, engaging nature and regularly sought out interactions with people.”

During public tortoise tours at the zoo, Othello often delighted visitors by eagerly accepting carrots.

Othello also recognized his keepers and frequently sought them out for attention and gentle neck scratches, the zoo said.

“He was a beautiful, old soul who reached millions of people, and he will be missed terribly,” the zoo said.

Aldabra giant tortoises usually live between 65 to 90 years, but they can live up to 150 years old. Males can weigh up to 400 pounds.

Zoo officials said Othello served as an important ambassador for his species, which is considered vulnerable to extinction and is among the last remaining species of giant tortoises on Earth.

Aldabra giant tortoises are native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, and Othello’s long life in human care helped to raise awareness about the conservation needs of his species, the zoo said.

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