Hugo The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Visits the Vet For His Annual Check-Up

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 8, 2020 3:39 pm

Photo Credit: Australian Reptile Park

Hugo, the Galapagos giant tortoise from the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia has visited the vet for his annual health check.

As reptiles can be slow to show signs that their health is deteriorating it is important that Hugo is assessed each year to ensure that he is healthy. Once again this year he was found to be in top condition and in the prime of his life.

Keepers don’t have to work too hard to get Hugo to the vet. This smart tortoise will walk in to the van himself if offered some tasty sweet potato or carrot. He simply requires a little bit of patience while he does this in his own time.

Photo Credit: Australian Reptile Park

Hugo was a popular vet patient at the Somersby vet hospital. He received many pats and scratches before he was weighed and assessed by vet Robyn with assistance from head reptile keeper at the Australian Reptile Park, Daniel Rumsey.

This year at his weigh in Hugo came in at a massive 181.6kg (400lbs). This is a 3.6kg (7.94lbs) increase on last years weight.

Head of Reptiles, Daniel Rumsey explained “Hugo is a lot easier to take to the vet as you would think! He will do absolutely anything for sweet potato and carrot, so all we had to do was keep giving snacks along the way and he will do whatever we want! Hugo laps up any attention and neck scratches he can get! We’re incredibly happy with today’s results and are proud to see he is in his prime and thriving here at The Australian Reptile Park!”

Photo Credit: Australian Reptile Park

Hugo has called Australia home since he moved to the Australian Reptile Park from a zoo in Switzerland as a hatchling. He has become a local celebrity at the park as each day he goes on two walks where visitors can rub his shell for good luck. The park also offer an animal encounter where you can spend time with Hugo.

Learn more about the Galapagos Giant Tortoise – Galapagos Giant Tortoise Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more the Australian Reptile Park on their website – Australian Reptile Park