Goliath the Tortoise Turns 135 and Celebrates Fatherhood at Zoo Miami!

South Miami, USA - In a joyous celebration that marked both a milestone birthday and a heartwarming occasion, Goliath, a 517-pound Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, recently commemorated his 135th birthday alongside his inaugural Father’s Day on June 15, 2025. Goliath, who is believed to have hatched on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos between 1885 and 1890, experienced a spectacular moment earlier this month as he welcomed a hatchling, the first Galapagos tortoise to be born at Zoo Miami.

The little one emerged from one of eight eggs laid by its mother, Sweet Pea, on January 27, and made its grand entrance on June 4. Sweet Pea herself is a remarkable creature, estimated to be between 85 and 100 years old, and both parents are reported to be thriving in their public habitat while their newborn is being carefully raised in a separate enclosure.

Conservation Efforts in Focus

Goliath’s journey from the Bronx Zoo in 1929 to his current home in Zoo Miami since 1981 mirrors the broader conservation efforts surrounding these majestic tortoises. Once teetering on the brink of extinction due to human exploitation and invasive species, Galapagos tortoises faced drastic population reductions before the 20th century. Today, while the threats of climate change and habitat loss continue to loom, initiatives are underway to recover dwindling tortoise populations.

The Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative aims to bring tortoise numbers back to their historical levels. In the late 1950s, only 11 tortoise species survived, with estimates indicating that past populations were once between 200,000 and 300,000 tortoises. Presently, only a fraction of that number remains, approximately 10-15% of earlier estimates. Fortunately, efforts have seen success—over 7,000 juvenile tortoises have been returned to the Galapagos Islands in recent years, thanks to meticulous breeding and rearing programs.

Community Engagement

Zoo Miami plays a critical role in this conservation narrative, adopting best practices for animal acquisition and management that comply with local, state, and federal regulations. This encompasses a structured approach to breeding and acquisitions focused on conservation priorities, educational value, and proper genetic management. Goliath has previously bred with several females but only recently became a father, a moment that underscores the ongoing commitment to bolstering tortoise populations—an effort deeply aligned with Zoo Miami’s mission and regulatory compliance.

As Goliath continues to grace the zoo’s grounds with his presence, he serves as a symbol of resilience and the possibilities that come with commitment to conservation. With ongoing efforts to eradicate invasive species and restore natural habitats, there’s much hope for the future of Galapagos tortoises not just at Zoo Miami, but in their native homelands as well. This celebration of life raises awareness of the challenges these creatures face and the crucial importance of protecting their environments for generations to come.

For more on Goliath’s milestone moments and the lovely hatchling that continues the legacy, check out reports from ABC 13 and other insightful updates from Zoo Miami. Additionally, learn about the broader conservation initiatives promoting tortoise restoration from Galapagos Conservancy.