A spry 70-year-old giant tortoise in top-notch physical shape has recently become the proud father of a total of eight baby Giant Galapagos tortoises. Dirk, affectionately named after the famous porn star Dirk Diggler from the movie Boogie Nights, engaged in mating with three female tortoises that he cohabitates with at Crocodiles of the World in Oxfordshire.
In a groundbreaking development back in March, it was announced that two baby tortoises had hatched from eggs laid by the 21-year-old female named Charlie. This marked the first successful breeding of a Giant Galapagos tortoise in a British zoo. Following this achievement, Dirk continued his amorous pursuits and successfully mated with another female tortoise named Isabella, who laid four eggs that later hatched in the month of July.
Dirk, who was given his name in homage to the famous porn star Dirk Diggler from the movie Boogie Nights, has successfully mated with three female crocodiles in the same enclosure at Crocodiles of the World in Oxfordshire.
The recent addition of eight new baby giant Galapagos tortoises at the Crocodiles of the World sanctuary in Brize Norton is a major win for the conservation of this endangered species. Dirk, in top physical shape, fertilized two more eggs from Charlie, which have since hatched. With only around 15,000 of these majestic creatures existing today compared to 200,000 in the 19th century, every new addition is significant. Shaun Foggett, the founder and director of the sanctuary, expressed excitement over the recent births, including the ones from Charlie and Isabella.
Currently, there are only around 15,000 giant Galapagos tortoises left in the world, a drastic decrease from the 200,000 that existed in the 19th century.
Although Zuzu has not shown any signs of laying eggs yet, she has only recently started to do so within the past 18 months. It is believed that all the tortoises in the group are female, but this has not been confirmed.
To ensure the proper care and development of the baby tortoises, they are kept separate from the adult tortoises and closely monitored.
The fact that a single collection of giant Galapagos tortoises in Europe has been successful in breeding the species for over a decade is a significant achievement. It highlights the importance of tortoises like Dirk, who could play a crucial role in the breeding efforts of European zoos.
Giant Galapagos tortoises are well-known for their long necks and have a strong association with Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution based on his observations of them.
“We are currently benefiting greatly from the information we are gaining and sharing, from hatching the eggs to raising the young tortoises. This will enhance our understanding of the breeding process in a zoo environment. We are documenting the mating behavior, breeding cycles, adult behavior, and any useful dietary supplements that we have discovered to be important in raising this species.
This wealth of knowledge will be combined with existing practices and knowledge from the native habitats of these tortoises. Our current plan is to keep the young tortoises at the zoo for the foreseeable future to closely monitor their growth and well-being.”
The renowned British naturalist was fascinated by the giant Galapagos tortoises and their unique ability to adapt their physical features to their environment, particularly their long necks that help them reach high vegetation.
“I feel privileged to be able to learn about these magnificent creatures and contribute to their future preservation,” said the researcher.
Dirk, the male tortoise, shows no signs of needing a break as he continues to live among the females in his habitat.
Although the eight baby tortoises may be small now, they will eventually grow to weigh 30 stones each when they reach adulthood.
Giant Galapagos tortoises are well-known for their distinctive long necks, a characteristic famously studied by Charles Darwin as he developed his theory of evolution.
Crocodiles of the World is dedicated to supporting the Galapagos Conservation Trust, an organization that conducts research to help develop conservation strategies for the species and ensure their future survival on the Galapagos Islands.
In 1962, Dirk made his way to Britain after being captured from the untamed lands of the Galapagos Islands. These large Galapagos tortoises, scientifically known as Chelonoidis niger, hold the title for being the biggest tortoise species globally. They can reach impressive lengths of up to 6 feet and weigh up to a whopping 900 pounds. These creatures are quite the romantic bunch, as they engage in mating activities throughout the entire year.
