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Hannover Zoo welcomes back four giant tortoises to new warm house
🇩🇪 Germany /Culture & Society

Hannover Zoo welcomes back four giant tortoises to new warm house

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Four Aldabra giant tortoises have returned to the Hannover Zoo after a nine-month construction of a new, climate-controlled enclosure called the Reptilium.
  • The tortoises, weighing a combined 565 kilograms and aged between 30 and 82 years, were previously housed at Hamburg's Tierpark Hagenbeck.
  • The zoo aims to contribute to the conservation of the endangered species, which faces threats from habitat loss and climate change.

The Hannover Zoo is celebrating the return of four Aldabra giant tortoises, who have moved into a newly constructed, state-of-the-art warm house named the Reptilium. These impressive reptiles, collectively weighing 565 kilograms and ranging in age from 30 to 82 years, are now settling into their spacious new home after a nine-month construction period.

The tortoises, named Cassiopeia, Romina, Bert, and Leopold, had previously resided at the zoo until 2008. They were moved due to outdated facilities and the construction of the "Yukon Bay" theme world. For the past years, they lived at Hamburg's Tierpark Hagenbeck.

The new Reptilium, a roughly 240-square-meter glass enclosure, is designed to replicate a tropical environment. It maintains temperatures between 26 to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity levels of 60 to 80 percent, featuring sand areas, a bathing pool, underfloor heating, UV lighting, and infrared heaters. This controlled climate is crucial for the well-being of the Aldabra giant tortoises, a species listed as endangered.

The return of the giant tortoises was and is a matter close to our hearts. We are truly immensely pleased that they are back here now.

— Andreas M. CasdorffThe zoo's managing director expresses his joy about the tortoises' return.

Zoo director Andreas M. Casdorff expressed his delight at the tortoises' return, calling it a "matter close to our hearts." He highlighted the zoo's commitment to contributing to the conservation of these ancient creatures, which can live over 100 years and weigh up to 250 kilograms. The Aldabra atoll in the Indian Ocean is their primary remaining habitat, threatened by climate change and invasive species.

Beyond the tortoises, the Reptilium is set to become home to other species, including Vietnamese long-nosed snakes, blue tree monitors, and Fiji iguanas. Sloths are also planned for the upper levels. The construction of the Reptilium was supported by a grant from the Region of Hannover, along with zoo funding and private donations.

We want to actively contribute to the preservation of the endangered species.

— Andreas M. CasdorffThe zoo director emphasizes the conservation goals for the Aldabra giant tortoises.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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