Tortoise who experienced more than 20 US presidents, 2 World Wars dies at age 141
Two World Wars, two pandemics and more than 20 U.S. presidents. That is a snippet of what Gramma, a 141-year-old Galapagos tortoise at the San Diego Zoo, experienced in her lifetime.
But on Nov. 20, wildlife specialists made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Gramma, the "shy and sweet tortoise" who had been alive, munching on cactus fruit and lettuce, for over a century.
"It is astonishing to consider what Gramma lived through in her lifetime," the San Diego Zoo said in a statement.
Gramma, who arrived in San Diego from the Bronx Zoo some time between 1928 and 1932, was part of its first group of Galapagos tortoises, the zoo said.
While Gramma's exact date of birth is unknown, experts estimate this "beloved icon" reached the age of 141, which "would have made her the oldest living individual thriving at the zoo," according to officials.
Galapagos tortoises can live for more than 100 years in the wild, with that number doubling for those in captivity, according to the Associated Press.
Throughout her time in San Diego, Gramma, a "quiet and constant presence," transformed from a black-and-white photograph to an "ever-endearing social media star," with countless videos shared of the reptile crunching on her favorite snacks, the zoo said.
Gramma, who was known as the "Queen of the Zoo," was able to touch "countless lives" during her time in San Diego, where she served as an "ambassador for reptile conservation worldwide," according to the zoo.
However, Gramma's time outside of her shell came to a close as specialists determined her "ongoing bone conditions related to advanced age" were increasing as of late.
Zoo officials invited the public to honor Gramma's memory by snacking on a "fruit-filled salad," which pays homage to her favorite snacks of romaine lettuce and cactus fruit.
"Please take a moment to offer your condolences to all those who are especially feeling her loss," the zoo said in a statement to ABC News.
