When we think of animal lifespans, we usually think of our precious dogs, cats and other pets with shorter lifespans than our own. However, there are many animals who live a similar number of years as humans (or even longer).
At the Phoenix Zoo, there are a few animals with ages that stand out from the rest.
Boomie the Chinese Alligator: 32 Years Old
Born in 1994, before the iPhone, Google and PlayStation.
Boomie is a fully-grown alligator who enjoys lounging in the shade and swimming in his pond. He was born in 1994, making him 32 years old and one of the oldest animals at the Phoenix Zoo.
While he is already among the older Zoo residents, Chinese alligators like Boomie who live in managed care can live up to 70 years, meaning Boomie likely has many years ahead.
Visit Boomie in the “Land of the Dragons” habitat on the Tropics Trail.
Bess the Bornean Orangutan: 47 Years Old
Born in 1979, before the internet, digital cameras and cell phones.
Bess, a 116-pound orangutan, was born at the Phoenix Zoo on March 26, 1979. She is extremely intelligent and loves solving puzzles.
Bess comes from a long-standing family of this endangered species the Zoo is working to preserve. Her mother, Duchess, was one of the Zoo’s original residents, and Rayma, a female orangutan also here at the Phoenix Zoo, is Bess’ great-niece.
See Bess and her partner, Michael, in the “People of the Forest” habitat along the Tropics Trail.
Queenie the King Vulture: 64 Years Old
Born around 1962, before Legos, sticky notes and rollerblades.
Queenie has been part of the Phoenix Zoo since it opened in 1962. She is the second oldest king vulture in North America living in managed care. Zoo legend says that Queenie lived in the wild before settling down here in 1962. This means she is at least 64 years old, but her life has likely been longer.
Say hello to Queenie on the Children’s Trail in her habitat near the sloths and spectacled owls. You can tell her apart from her partner, Aragorn, by her smaller size.
Elvis the Iguana Cove Galápagos Tortoise: 75 Years Old
Born in 1951, before bubble wrap, hula hoops, diet soda and Barbie dolls.
Tortoises are some of the longest-lived individuals in the animal kingdom. Elvis, an Iguana Cove Galápagos tortoise, was born in 1951, making him the second-oldest animal at the Zoo.
In the native home of his species, tortoises like Elvis actually live on the slopes of a volcano! Today, you’ll find Elvis basking in the sunshine in the tortoise habitat on the Tropics Trail.
Mary the Volcan Darwin Galápagos Tortoise: 109 Years Old
Born around 1917, before trampolines, bubble gum, fortune cookies, mini golf and Band-Aids.
Another tortoise from the Galápagos region, Mary is the oldest animal at the Zoo. She’s been here since before her home was even called the Phoenix Zoo.
Since she has lived here for so long, we can only guess at her age. She’s estimated to have been born as early as 1917, which would make her almost 110 years old!
Visit our oldest resident at the tortoise habitat on the Tropics Trail.
