Tropical species relocated to the tropical exhibit!

This week, we relocated the summer enclosure of our Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) and African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata) from the Mediterranean exhibit at Fort Verudela to the Verudela Terrace at the San Giovanni battery. With this move, almost all of our tropical species are now housed in the tropical exhibit at the San Giovanni battery, with only the tropical butterflies remaining in the Mediterranean section.

The relocation has also increased the size of their enclosure from approximately 34 m² to as much as 116 m². This is particularly important for our tortoises, which have grown considerably since their arrival and will continue to grow in the years ahead.

The Indian star tortoises arrived in July 2022 after being confiscated at Zagreb Airport due to illegal wildlife trafficking. At the time, they measured between 6 and approximately 20 cm in length, and within just a few years they have grown to between 11 and 28 cm. This species can live for more than 50 years, grow to around 38 cm in length and reach a weight of approximately 7 kg.

The African spurred tortoises arrived in 2018 from Ostrava Zoo, where they were bred. Over the years, they have reached weights ranging from 2 to 5.5 kg and are currently between 8 and 9 years old. This species can live for more than 70 years, weigh over 100 kg and grow to more than 80 cm in length.

The expanded enclosure therefore provides them with significantly more space for growth and development, as well as better living conditions for the years to come.

We invite our visitors to enjoy a refreshing break at the Tropical Bar on the Verudela Terrace and visit our tortoises until the autumn months, when they will be moved to their heated winter enclosure.