Tortoise Lovers Enjoy Facetime Call from Quarantine

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 28, 2021 11:00 am

Hugo the Galapagos Giant Tortoise gets his first look at his new girlfriend Estrella since she arrived in Australia to join him at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park

Hugo the Galapagos giant tortoise at the Australian Reptile Park has got his first look at his new girlfriend, Estrella since she arrived in Australia. As Estrella has been in quarantine since her arrival in June 2021 the pair were only able to meet through facetime.

Despite Hugo being in his 70s he is no stranger to technology having meet Estrella to dating app Tinder in 2019.

Unfortunately Covid-19 got in the way of their love story presenting Estrella from moving to Australia from Zoo Rostock in Germany as planned in early 2020.

Estrella the Galapagos giant tortoise is pictured with Daniel Rumsey in quarantine at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park

During their face time call keepers reported that the chemistry was off the charts with their eyes meeting many times. Keepers say this all bodes well for their first meeting in mid-September when Estrella leaves her mandatory quarantine.

Daniel Rumsey, Head of Reptiles at the Australian Reptile Park said, “I couldn’t be more excited to see the chemistry already developing. Hugo is one handsome tortoise and Estrella is just beautiful. We have always wanted to get Hugo a girlfriend to replace the ‘special’ rock he has in his enclosure, and this was a great step towards their meeting.”

Rumsey continued, “He’s got a bit of an extra bounce in his step now and we’re all counting down the days until the lovers can meet! Who knows, maybe within the next few years we will have some baby Galapagos tortoises!”

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Hugo has been a resident at the Australian Reptile Park since 1963 when it was known as the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary. Now he has reached middle age at 70 years old.

Estrella joined the Australian Reptile Park from Zoo Rostock in Germany. At 21 years old she is much younger than her new partner but in a species that lives well over 100 years a bit of an age gap likely isn’t a major issue.

The Australian Reptile Park is hoping the two will find love and welcome a litter of tiny tortoises in the coming years.

Hugo the Galapagos giant tortoise is pictured with Daniel Rumsey at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park

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

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

Hugo the Galapagos Giant Tortoise gets his first look at his new girlfriend Estrella since she arrived in Australia to join him at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park