Celebrating Sweet 16: The Cincinnati Zoo’s Galápagos Tortoises Hit a Milestone!

Posted October 18, 2024 by Angela Hatke

The Cincinnati Zoo recently threw a birthday bash for three of its beloved Galápagos tortoises—Mishell, Husker, and Bruno—who turned 16 this year! The zoo’s tortoise trio marked this special occasion with a fun, themed birthday party, proving once again that every milestone deserves to be celebrated in style.

The Zoo’s Nutritionist, Barbara H. & keeper, Jenna L. made a special tortoise birthday cake and the talented volunteers from the Zoo’s Volunteer Enrichment Committee handled the decorations! The cake was made of carrot stick candles, unflavored gelatin, fruits, veggies and tortoise pellets. There were also plenty of treats hidden in the decorations like mulberry leaves and strawberries! This was a great collaboration with all parties involved!

The birthday party’s theme was all about “driving,” a playful nod to the tortoises’ age. Their care team and volunteers got creative with a drivers license for each tortoise, parking spots, road signs and and tortoise-sized props! Visitors loved watching the tortoises park and eat their treats!

While the three aren’t able to actually get behind the wheel, they’re certainly growing into their personalities. Mishell, Husker, and Bruno continue to be popular residents of the zoo, and their birthday party was a wonderful reminder of the care and love their care team and community have for them. As one of the longest-lived animals, a Galápagos tortoise can lives 150 years or more! Here’s to many more years of slow and steady adventures for these gentle giants!