ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Some sad news out of the ABQ BioPark, following the loss of its large Aldabra tortoise named Sergeant Salty. Also known as “Sarge,” he was a fan favorite at the park for over 20 years.
The beloved tortoise had been a resident at the zoo since 2001, after he was surrendered as a pet. The BioPark explained that Sarge was treated for a leg infection earlier this year, and major health complications arose, limiting his quality of life and leading the park to euthanize him this week humanely.
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Last year, News 13 caught up with Salty’s caretakers and found out he was known for being mischievous and charming. “He tends to steal food from teh other toroises, and he’s really interested in the female Aldabra toroises that are in his yard, which aren’t the same species, but he seems to think they might be,” said Casey Taylor, assistant mammal curator at the ABQ BioPark.
According to the BioPark, Sarge was believed to be over 50 years old and was considered to be one of the largest of his species in human care, weighing over 225 pounds…