Europe’s oldest zoo animal, Marta the alligator, turns 95 in Poland

There will be no crocodile tears this Saturday as Marta the alligator celebrates her 95th birthday at Płock Zoo in Poland. She is the oldest known zoo animal in Europe, and has outlived the typical lifespan of her species, the Mississippi alligator, by decades.

Płock Zoo, where Marta has been making waves since 1960, is hosting a public celebration to mark the occasion. The programme includes art workshops, reptile-themed games, and a cake shaped like an alligator. A live feeding demonstration of the zoo’s “senior citizen and star” will also be held.

Marta hatched in 1930 in Slidell, Louisiana and was later brought to Poland by Polish-American engineer Tadeusz Wągrowski, who purchased her and a male alligator named Pedro as part of the so-called “Crocodile Campaign”, an initiative in which residents of Płock sent books to members of the Polish diaspora.

The Polish Press Agency (PAP) reports that, while Wągrowski had initially only bought Marta, his wife believed that a single alligator would become sad, and so Pedro was also purchased to keep her company.

However, Marta never accepted Pedro, resulting in him being transferred to Wrocław Zoo. Attempts to pair her with other male alligators were also unsuccessful.

In 1970, Marta gained national recognition for her role in the cult television comedy Hydrozagadka (Hydro-puzzle), where she appeared in several scenes, and has since remained one of Płock Zoo’s most beloved residents.

Zoo spokeswoman Magda Kowalkowska told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that “we always mention an anecdote of how, during filming, there was a moment of fear that Marta would choose freedom and stay in the waters of the lagoon” where production was taking place.

“Luckily, everything ended well, as she probably wouldn’t have survived the winter cold,” added Kowalkowska.

Though Marta has slowed down in recent years, staff describe her as “very calm and accepting” of the zookeepers. “We feed her once a week with beef or freshwater fish, such as common roach or bream,” Kowalkowska said. “She is a very gentle crocodile, always accepting of her keepers.”

In preparation for her milestone birthday, Marta’s enclosure was upgraded earlier this year. The zoo said the new terrarium offers improved comfort and better viewing for visitors.

Mississippi alligators are native to the southeastern United States and generally live up to 70 years in captivity. Reaching 95 is exceptionally rare. The species reaches 3 to 6 metres in length and weighs up to 300 kg. In the wild, it inhabits rivers, lake shores and swampy areas.

Main image credit: ZOO Płock/Facebook