The Saint Louis Zoo has bid farewell to Othello, a centenarian Aldabra giant tortoise who arrived at the facility in 1938 and served as a beloved Ambassador for his vulnerable species for over eight decades.
At a Glance
- Othello, an Aldabra giant tortoise at the Saint Louis Zoo, was humanely euthanized due to a gastrointestinal ailment
- Estimated to be well over 100 years old, Othello was one of the zoo’s oldest residents, arriving as a mature adult in 1938
- Known for his friendly demeanor, Othello recognized his keepers and was a favorite during public tortoise tours
- He served as an Ambassador for his species, which is vulnerable to extinction
- The Aldabra giant tortoise is native to the Seychelles and is among the longest-lived animals on Earth
A Century of Life and Legacy
The Saint Louis Zoo community is mourning the loss of Othello, one of its oldest and most cherished residents. The Aldabra giant tortoise was humanely euthanized due to an unresolvable gastrointestinal condition after more than eight decades at the zoo. While his exact age remained unknown, Othello arrived at the facility as a mature adult in 1938, indicating he was well over 100 years old at the time of his passing. His extraordinary lifespan offered visitors a living connection to history, having witnessed world events spanning from the Great Depression to the digital age.
Othello was not alone when he arrived in America. Another Aldabra tortoise named Ray, who still resides at the zoo, accompanied him on his journey. The pair became living Ambassadors for their species, which is classified as vulnerable to extinction. Aldabra tortoises reach full size only after several decades of growth, further confirming Othello’s centenarian status. These magnificent creatures are among the few remaining species of giant tortoises on Earth, with a natural habitat limited to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.
Othello, Saint Louis Zoo's more than 100-year-old giant tortoise, dies https://t.co/4MXUHnWbfR
— KSDK News (@ksdknews) April 11, 2025
A Beloved Zoo Ambassador
Zoo staff and regular visitors alike shared personal memories of Othello following the announcement of his passing. His gentle personality and engaging nature made him a standout attraction, particularly during the zoo’s public tortoise tours. Othello had developed special relationships with his caretakers over the decades, demonstrating remarkable recognition of familiar humans. He would often approach keepers for attention and stretch his neck out for gentle scratches, behaviors that endeared him to staff members who cared for him.
The Zoo said in an official statement: “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 carrots—one 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.”
The loss of Othello resonated beyond the zoo’s borders, with social media users expressing condolences and sharing memories of encountering the tortoise during visits. Many comments highlighted the historical significance of an animal that had lived through nearly a century of American history. The zoo’s announcement of his passing garnered thousands of responses from the community, underscoring the impact these long-lived creatures can have on multiple generations of visitors.
Conservation Significance
Aldabra tortoises represent one of nature’s most remarkable examples of longevity. They are believed to be among the longest-lived animals on Earth, though documenting their exact lifespans presents challenges even to scientists. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo notes that proper age records are difficult to maintain since these tortoises often outlive the researchers studying them. This extraordinary longevity makes them particularly valuable for conservation efforts and scientific study.
The Saint Louis Zoo’s commitment to these remarkable reptiles continues through their ongoing care of Ray and other Aldabra tortoises in their collection. These animals serve as living representatives of a species that faces increasing threats in the wild. Through conservation education and ambassador animals like Othello, the zoo works to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these ancient creatures and their fragile island habitats for future generations to appreciate and study.
