Fact Check: Goliath was born on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos between June 15, 1885, and June 15, 1890.

Fact Check: "Goliath was born on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos between June 15, 1885, and June 15, 1890."

What We Know

Goliath, a Galapagos tortoise residing at Zoo Miami, has an official record indicating that he hatched on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos on June 15, with his birth year estimated to be between 1885 and 1890 (source-2, source-5). The Galapagos Islands are located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 900 km west of mainland Ecuador, and are known for their unique biodiversity and endemic species, which were famously studied by Charles Darwin (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Goliath was born on Santa Cruz Island between June 15, 1885, and June 15, 1890, is supported by multiple sources that reference his official record (source-2, source-5). While some sources specify the year as 1890, the range provided (1885 to 1890) is consistent across various reports, indicating a general consensus on the timeframe of his hatching (source-4, source-7).

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are reputable news outlets and official zoo communications. However, it is important to note that the exact year of hatching is not definitively established, as it is based on estimates and records that may not be precise. The range provided does allow for some uncertainty, but the core claim about his birthplace and the date range is corroborated by multiple credible sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Goliath was born on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos between June 15, 1885, and June 15, 1890, is supported by official records and multiple credible sources. While there is some ambiguity regarding the exact year of hatching, the evidence aligns with the claim, confirming its validity.

Sources

1. Galápagos Islands
2. Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father's ...
3. Goliath the tortoise celebrates 135th birthday and first Father's Day at Zoo Miami
4. Giant tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday - and first Father's Day ...
5. Galapagos tortoise Goliath celebrates his 135th birthday ...
6. Giant 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise Goliath celebrates first Father's ...
7. 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise celebrates first Father's Day at Miami zoo
8. Galapagos tortoise celebrates 135th birthday, first Father's ...