From Rock Girlfriend to Real Love

Hugo the Galapagos Tortoise spent seven long decades without a girlfriend. Since 1963, he has lived at the Australian Reptile Park as an ambassador for his endangered species. While the staff took great care of him, over time Hugo showed more and more signs of loneliness.

Failed Romances

Hugo tried to start a relationship with a goose named Lenny. When that didn't work out, he turned his affections to a shell-shaped rock in his habitat. Sadly, neither of these unusual love interests worked out for the lonely tortoise.

The Dating Game Challenge

Finding Hugo a suitable girlfriend wasn't simple. His species is protected by strict rules. Getting another Galapagos Tortoise isn't as easy as it was back in the 1960s. The park staff knew they needed to get creative to help their lonely friend.

Swiping Right on Love

The reptile park created a Tinder profile for Hugo. They ran paid posts on social media showing his profile, hoping to catch the eye of other sanctuaries with a female tortoise. Their clever plan worked! A zoo in Germany reached out about a potential match - a 21-year-old Galapagos Tortoise named Estrella.

Long-Distance Romance

Hugo immediately swiped right on Estrella. Because she needed to complete quarantine before moving to Australia, the two started a long-distance relationship. They had regular video call dates while waiting to meet in person.

Love at First Sight

When Hugo and Estrella finally met face-to-face, the spark between them was clear. Their connection means there might be baby Galapagos tortoises in the future - great news for this endangered species.

The story of Hugo and Estrella shows that love can happen at any age, even after 70 years of waiting. It also highlights the creative ways wildlife centers work together to support endangered animals.