Thursday, June 14, 2012

Tortoises Divorcing After 115 Years Together

Tortoises divorcing (Photo: Reptilien Zoo Happ)
Two giant tortoises at an Austrian  zoo are divorcing after 115 years of being together.

"We get the feeling they can't stand the sight of each other anymore," zoo's director Helga Happ told the Austrian Times.

Tortoises Bibi and Poldi, have been together since they were young, eventually growing up to become a bonded pair. But recently, Bibi has been attacking Poldi, biting off a chunk of his shell,  which prompted zoo staff to transfer him in another enclosure.

"But for no reason that anyone can discover they seem to have fallen out, they just can't stand each other," said Happ.

The zoo management has asked the help of animal experts to give the pair counselling - feeding them romantic good mood food and trying to get them to join in joint games - but to no avail.

"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." Happ added.

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