Giant Tortoises Bibi And Poldi Divorcing After 115 Years, 'Can't Stand The Sight Of Each Other Anymore'
They've been through counseling, but it wasn't enough for Bibi and Poldi, two giant tortoises at an Austrian zoo who are divorcing after 115 years together.
Giant tortoises Bibi and Poldi have shared the same cage for 115 years -- 36 of those spent at a zoo in Klagenfurt, Austria, which they currently call home, and a zoo in Basel, Switzerland.
Helga Happ, boss of the Klagenfurt zoo, said administrators tried giving the giant tortoises a romantic meal to put them in a good mood and involve them in games together -- but Bibi and Poldi weren't having any of it after 115 years.
We get the feeling they can't stand the sight of each other anymore, Happ told the Austrian Times. They are both 115 years old -- they have been together since they were young and grew up together, eventually becoming a pair.
It appears Bibi and Poldi are divorcing after 115 years due to more than just irreconcilable differences; it turns out Bibi got violent.
The female giant tortoise bit off a chunk of Poldi's shell and continued to attack him other times, forcing zoo staff to separate the turtles, the Austrian Times reported.
There is still hope that Bibi and Poldi will call off their divorce.
We have staff talking to and trying to engage the two in interacting, and we hope that they might find their harmony again, Happ said, according to Lebanon's Daily Star. We were told that it's very rare that after so many years animals who are a pair will fall apart, but that's where we are. We hope though we can bring round a reconciliation.
Giant tortoises have the longest lifespans of all vertebrates, according to switcheroozoo.com. On average, they live 100 to 150 years. The oldest giant tortoise ever recorded lived to be 152 years old.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.