This juvenile Galapagos tortoise lives in the World of Reptiles at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo. Along with five of its siblings that are also on exhibit, this tortoise is a direct offspring of the tortoises collected from the Galapagos Islands in the 1920s by Charles H. Townsend, a New York Zoological Society explorer. Townsend brought more than 100 tortoises from Isabela Island to the United States to initiate a breeding program for the survival of the species.

The largest living tortoise species, Galapagos tortoises can weigh more than 650 pounds and live more than 150 years. The parents of these six are more than 80 years old, still breeding, and considered relatively young.

WCS's Bronx Zoo has officially started the summer season with Animal Tales Extravaganza. every weekend in April, May, and, June will be packed with family-oriented entertainment including readings by notable children's book authors and live musical performances. And don't miss the second annual Run for the Wild on Saturday, April 24th at WCS's Bronx Zoo.

Contact:
Sophie Bass - sbass@wcs.org, 718-220-6853

The Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Adult admission is $15, children (3-12 years old) $11, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $13. Parking is $12 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.