The Paris Olympics may have ended, but for a group of bustling and energetic tortoises at Werribee Open Range Zoo, the games are just getting started.
Five leopard tortoises are embodying the athletic prowess and competitive spirit of our Olympic and Paralympic heroes, inspired by some creatively installed hanging feeders in their newly upgraded habitat.
While the shelled-reptiles navigate their terrain for a feed, they channel the aquatic skills of gold medallists Alexa Leart and Ariarne Titmus, the track athleticism of James Turner, and strength of Japanese wrestler Rei Higuchi – all with the enthusiasm of Raygun.
Werribee Open Range Zoo natives keeper Malinda Delahant said the tortoises have responded incredibly well to their habitat upgrade and are participating in a variety of natural behaviours.
“The tortoises are definitely acting like they were in the Olympics this year,” Ms Delahant said.
“The environment we have created for them is super dynamic. You can see them swimming, reaching up really high, competing for position to access their food, and they can surprisingly pick up some speed too.”
The habitat upgrade is not only functional, but also focuses on enhancing natural opportunities similar to the leopard tortoises’ wild environments. A feeder frame, that resembles a tree, can be used to hang leafy branches for the tortoises to reach and stretch for. Mock-rock boulders and logs, that resemble natural features from an African savannah, have little nooks in which to place branches or whole-food items.
Ms Delahant says the ‘tortoise Olympics’ is providing benefits for the charismatic reptiles’ physical and mental stimulation.
“Just like us, moving and exercise is really important for fitness. So, seeing the tortoises being able to stretch, climb, swim, get down low and use each other to access their food is really great exercise and enhances their welfare.”
Leopard tortoises are endemic to the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa, and thrive in semi-arid and grassland habitats. Wild populations are currently stable, however habitat destruction due to agricultural pressure is considered a threat to their distribution.
The tortoise habitat upgrade was made possible as part of an ongoing enrichment scholarship program at Zoos Victoria, which is supported by the Zoo’s generous donors.
Werribee Open Range Zoo is home to five male leopard tortoises and three Bell’s hinge-back tortoises, which visitors can see roaming their habitats inside the zoo’s Ranger Kids building, or outside on warm sunny days.
