Rocket the Tulsa Zoo’s Aldabara tortoise is heading to the Bronx Zoo. Copyright Aaron Goodwin.

One of the Tulsa Zoo’s largest residents will head out on his next big adventure. Rocket the 600lb Aldabra tortoise is leaving the Tulsa Zoo  for his new home at the Bronx Zoo.

Rocket received a red carpet welcome when he arrived at the Tulsa Zoo in 2009 from the Sedgwick County Zoo. Rocket arrived at the Tulsa Zoo on loan so that the Sedgwick County Zoo could make modifications to their Aldabra Tortoise exhibit. Rocket will continue his journey on to the Bronx Zoo, where he will be part of their new giant tortoise exhibit with hopes that he will breed to help conserve the species. 

The Tulsa Zoo has one of the most successful Aldabra Tortoise breeding programs in North America, producing 95 offspring.