OMG! Tulsa Zoo - Aldabra Heaven!

[Mini]

I went to the Tulsa Zoo, Saturday, October 18th and met with one of the people that take care of the 5 adult torts. Big Al, 120 years old, 380 pounds. Dozer, 28, brother Mo, 28... sexy girls Kadabra, age 30 and Tofi age 33.
They have the most incredible house, a/c in the summer, heated concrete flooring via hot water pipes, lots of double insulated windows, indoor pond and sand box. OMG amazing!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

~They have a great set up!

~ I like Big Al!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

sexy girls Kadabra, age 30 and Tofi age 33.

~ Any chance you have photos of the girls, they have produced hatchlings over the last several years?

 

[Mini]

~ Any chance you have photos of the girls, they have produced hatchlings over the last several years?

I think I do have pics of the girls. Will search... one of them belongs to a private owner, she is on loan to the zoo. She has produced many eggs sucessfully.

 

[wellington]

Oh yes, I have seen quite a few Aldabras for sale that goes back to the Tulsa zoo. Fo some reason though, that just seems wrong for a zoo to be producing babies to be sold to the public, hmmm. Great pics btw.

 

[wellington]

Okay, little closer look at the pics and the other things in them, not just the torts, did I see a TV in the cement enclosure? I like the hay feeders too, although I don't like that they are above the sand substrate.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

I think I do have pics of the girls. Will search... one of them belongs to a private owner, she is on loan to the zoo. She has produced many eggs sucessfully.

~ Yes, Bob Clark. That would be great if you could post them!

 

[Mini]

Oh yes, I have seen quite a few Aldabras for sale that goes back to the Tulsa zoo. Fo some reason though, that just seems wrong for a zoo to be producing babies to be sold to the public, hmmm. Great pics btw.

the offspring are not available to public. Only approved licensed vendors and licensed individuals for preservation.

 

[wellington]

the offspring are not available to public. Only approved licensed vendors and licensed individuals for preservation.

That's what they say, except they are sold all over the place to however will pay their price. I have seen them on Kingsnake I think and fauna for sure for sale. Not by the zoo themselves but by Bob Clark and others who will mention they were born at the Tulsa Zoo. I guy in illinois even had one once for sale that was from the Tulsa Zoo.
I just don't really think a Zoo should be breeding and selling them to anyone other then another zoo. I don't know, I am kinda on the ropes with this. Not sure if I agree with it. Not what I,had always believed about Zoos. But then again, since being on this forum and learning all the bad care Zoos actually give, I guess most things I thought about a Zoo is not true.

 

[wellington]

FYI the selling them for preservation to brokers and venders is like not being able to sell a tortoise or turtle in this country under 4". It's a joke.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

the offspring are not available to public.

~ From what i understand, the male belongs to the Zoo and the female to Bob Clark, they split the hatchlings. I know of several that have them and they have been producing for years!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

selling them for preservation to brokers and venders

~ This is probably the business model for the Zoos half!

 

[Yvonne G]

I love the hay feeder idea.

Also, I don't see anything wrong with selling babies that are produced at a zoo. They need to get $$ from wherever they can (in my opinion)

 

[Arnold_rules]

Okay, little closer look at the pics and the other things in them, not just the torts, did I see a TV in the cement enclosure? I like the hay feeders too, although I don't like that they are above the sand substrate.

I think what you are seeing as a TV is really just a small window. There is one at each end of that wall, but I could be wrong (maybe their favorite show is TMNT)

 

[Mini]

That's what they say, except they are sold all over the place to however will pay their price. I have seen them on Kingsnake I think and fauna for sure for sale. Not by the zoo themselves but by Bob Clark and others who will mention they were born at the Tulsa Zoo. I guy in illinois even had one once for sale that was from the Tulsa Zoo.
I just don't really think a Zoo should be breeding and selling them to anyone other then another zoo. I don't know, I am kinda on the ropes with this. Not sure if I agree with it. Not what I,had always believed about Zoos. But then again, since being on this forum and learning all the bad care Zoos actually give, I guess most things I thought about a Zoo is not true.

The Tulsa zoo, has to give royalties to the female on loan there. He sells the hatchlings at will. The Tulsa zoo can not sell to an unlicensed individual. I did ask about that.

 

[Mini]

Okay, little closer look at the pics and the other things in them, not just the torts, did I see a TV in the cement enclosure? I like the hay feeders too, although I don't like that they are above the sand substrate.

There is no tv... that is a glass window... but they do have several survilance cameras.

 

[Mini]

I think what you are seeing as a TV is really just a small window. There is one at each end of that wall, but I could be wrong (maybe their favorite show is TMNT)

Yes... lots of big windows and 2 small windows.

 

[Mini]

~ From what i understand, the male belongs to the Zoo and the female to Bob Clark, they split the hatchlings. I know of several that have them and they have been producing for years!

You are correct!

 

[Mini]

~ From what i understand, the male belongs to the Zoo and the female to Bob Clark, they split the hatchlings. I know of several that have them and they have been producing for years!

Yes...

 

[Mini]

I love the hay feeder idea.

Also, I don't see anything wrong with selling babies that are produced at a zoo. They need to get $$ from wherever they can (in my opinion)

I love the hay feeder too... Off to Tractor Supply to get one!