Shellshock
EAZA Turtle and Tortoise Campaign 2004/5
Activities
Zack's shell shock at Paignton Zoo
Eleven year old Zack Bellekom helped launch the EAZA Shellshock Campaign at Paignton Zoo - by feeding the biggest tortoise in the world.
The Shellshock 2005 project is aimed at helping endangered tortoises and turtles. Paignton Zoo is raising funds for Shellshock by giving visitors the chance to feed these amazing creatures in return for a UK£5 donation.
Zoo members Sarah and Adrian Troake from Taunton approached the Zoo because their son is tortoise crazy. His mother said: "Zack loves tortoises and always heads straight for them when we visit the zoo."
Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "When we heard Zack was a tortoise nut we thought we would invite him to help launch our Shellshock fundraising."
The Shellshock campaign is being run by EAZA, the European Association of Zoos & Aquaria. Shellshock aims to help turtles and tortoises through increasing public awareness, promoting managed captive safety-net populations for priority species and raising funds for conservation projects.
The Aldabra giant tortoise (Dipsochelys elephantine) is an endangered species threatened by introduced species and habitat destruction. They live in open grassy areas with trees and bushes, scrubland and mangrove swamps and eat grasses, herbs and leaves.
They can reach 137 cm in length, weigh 250 kg (500 pounds) and live for over a hundred years (the greatest authentic age recorded is 152 years). They are active by day, basking when it is warm.
Aldabra Atoll is protected by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. Paignton Zoo's seven giant tortoises were confiscated by Customs from an illegal importation in 1986.
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