A Lonely Beginning

Hugo is a Galapagos Tortoise who lived at the Australian Reptile Park since 1963. He spent many years without a girlfriend and felt quite lonely. Hugo tried to befriend a goose named Lenny and even a shell-shaped rock, but neither worked out.

The Search for Love

Finding Hugo a girlfriend wasn't easy. His species is protected, which means there are a lot of rules. The reptile park couldn't just get any female tortoise. So, they got creative and made a Tinder profile for Hugo! They even ran ads on social media to find a match.

A Match in Germany

The reptile park was in luck! A zoo in Germany had a young 21-year-old female tortoise named Estrella. She seemed like the perfect match for Hugo. So, Hugo swiped right on Estrella.

Long-Distance Relationship

Before Estrella could join Hugo in Australia, she needed to be quarantined. During this time, Hugo and Estrella had long-distance video calls. They got to know each other and formed a strong bond, even from far away.

Finally Together

When Estrella finally arrived in Australia, the two tortoises met in person and got along great. Their relationship is now thriving, and there's even a chance they might have Galapagos baby tortoises in the future!