04/12/2025
๐ข. Rip Othello
It is with incredible sadness that we share the passing of Othello, one of our resident centenarian Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea.) Othello was humanely euthanized on Tuesday due to declining health from a gastrointestinal issue.
While we donโt know his exact age, Othello was thought to be one of the oldest animals at the Saint Louis Zoo. Othello and Ray, another Aldabra giant tortoise still living at the Zoo, arrived in the U.S. as mature adults in 1938. Since it takes several decades for Aldabra giant tortoises to reach full size, Othello was well over 100 years old at the time of his passing.
Othello and Ray joined the Saint Louis Zoo from another accredited zoo in 2004. Othello was beloved by Zoo guests and employees during the 20 years since his arrival. He had a warm, engaging nature and regularly sought out interactions with people. Othello was a guest favorite during our public tortoise tours, often delighting visitors by eagerly accepting carrotsโone of his favorite treats. He was also known to recognize his keepers, frequently seeking them out for attention. Keepers always readily reciprocated and loved spending time with him, especially when he stretched out his neck for gentle scratches.
Othello served as an important ambassador for his species, which is considered vulnerable to extinction and is among the last remaining species of giant tortoise on Earth. Aldabra giant tortoises are native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, one of the largest coral islands in the world. His long life and presence in human care helped to raise awareness about the conservation needs of his species and the unique ecosystem that these tortoises inhabit.
Thank you to all the keepers, staff, volunteers and guests who knew and loved Othello over the years. He was a beautiful, old soul who reached millions of people, and he will be missed terribly.