Taronga Zoo Sydney Celebrate Their 104th Birthday

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 7, 2020 1:55 pm

A tortoise tucks in to a cake at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: The Maryland Zoo

Taronga Zoo Sydney has marked its 104th birthday with a party for their oldest resident. Esmerelda is estimated to be 104 years old, the same as the zoo though her exact age is unknown. She has lived at the zoo since 1947.

To mark the occasion keepers provided Esmerelda and her 66 year old companion, Lance to a feast of salad greens and a watermelon cake.

A tortoise tucks in to a cake at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Video Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

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The zoo opened to visitors on October 7th 1916. Some of the first enclosures housed seals, elephants, monkeys, aviaries. The iconic top entrance was also built at this time.

On opening the zoo was home to 844 animals. This has since grown to 4,500 animals.

A tortoise tucks in to a cake at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: The Maryland Zoo

Learn more about the Aldabra giant tortoise – Aldabra Giant Tortoise Fact File

Learn more about Taronga Zoo Sydney on their website – Taronga Zoo Sydney