• Gramma the Giant Tortoise Dies at 141 in San Diego
• She Witnessed Two World Wars and 20 US Presidents

“Queen of the Zoo” Gramma the giant Galapagos tortoise has died at the age of 141, making her the oldest resident of the San Diego Zoo.

Born in her native habitat, zoo officials estimated her age at around 141 years.

It is unclear exactly when Gramma arrived at San Diego Zoo, but officials said she came from the Bronx Zoo between 1928 and 1931 as part of the first group of Galapagos tortoises.

For over a century, Gramma charmed zoo visitors with her gentle and peaceful personality and lived through two world wars and 20 US presidents.

Caretakers affectionately called her “the Queen of the Zoo,” but she recently suffered from age-related bone problems before being humanely euthanized.

Visitors shared memories of Gramma on social media, with some returning years later to see her with their children.

Galapagos tortoises can live over 100 years in the wild and up to twice that in captivity.

There are 15 subspecies of Galapagos tortoises, three of which are extinct, while the rest are vulnerable or critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Intensive efforts have been made to breed these tortoises in captivity, with over 10,000 juveniles released into the wild since 1965, and some subspecies brought back from the brink of extinction.