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- Female also named by keepers for an “Animaniac”
- Hatched on 5/28/97 St. Catherines Island, Georgia, at the Wildlife Conservation Society Breeding Center for Endangered Species, which closed in 2007
- Is smaller than the two males
- Part of her bottom shell was removed during surgery (to remove retained eggs) and was repaired using a fiberglass cloth and resin
- Arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo in May 1998
Yakko and Wakko
- Are males, informally named after characters from the 1990s era Animaniacs cartoon series
- Both hatched during 1997 and were private donations to the Zoo
- Are very hard to tell apart — keepers use subtle differences in shell patterns to identify them
- Arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo in May 1998
Conservation Status
Radiated tortoises are critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Should current declines continue, the species could be extinct in the wild within the next 45 years.
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Species Survival Plans
The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the 220+ accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP), a cooperatively managed program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More than 200 different species are managed through SSPs, aimed at maintaining genetic diversity within AZA populations, sustaining these populations, and guarding against extinction.
Wildlife Experiences
Meet the Animals
Have you always wanted to get just a little bit closer to the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo? Well, you can! Take a look at our animal encounters, and choose the best option for you and/or your family.