Farewell Sunshine….
August 2, 2021 · Blog
A sad goodbye…
We’re deeply saddened to share the loss of “Sunshine”, our red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius). Sunshine was estimated to have lived 45 years, exceeding her life expectancy in the wild, and she spent over two decades in the Wings of the Tropics conservatory.
Over the last several months, Sunshine showed a steep decline in health and quality of life reflective of her advanced age and did not respond to medical treatment. On Friday, July 30th, the difficult decision for humane euthanasia was made by her keepers in conjunction with the recommendations of Sunshine’s veterinarian team.
In her long life, Sunshine got to meet so many people – and everyone who got to meet Sunshine fell instantly in love. She was full of charisma and could often be found snuggling under the warm basking lights of her house with the large hermit crabs who live in Wings of the Tropics. She also enjoyed her daily walks around the tropical rainforest, where she foraged for her favorite snack, hibiscus flowers. She delighted many of us with an unforgettable happy dance when receiving shell scratches and warm baths. Sunshine was a beloved member of Butterfly Pavilion and will be missed by every guest, volunteer, intern, and staff member who spent time with her.
