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Meet Edward, the Skateboarding Tortoise

January 14, 2025


Hello Friends,


I hope your 2025 is off to a wonderful start!  


Edward the African spurred tortoise has a special place in the hearts of many visitors to the JMZ. With his best friend, Friends Ambassador Lee Harper, by his side, Edward loves to take walks around the JMZ, exploring the zoo and the California Dinosaur Garden. This past fall, Lee hatched a plan to teach Edward a new unique skill: skateboarding.


Thanks to the introduction of the Friends Animal Encounters Program, which was made possible by the generosity of our donors, Lee was able to dedicate time to train Edward. Today, Edward zips around the JMZ on his board and even visits children at on-site classes. Lee shares more about Edward and his skateboarding skills in this month’s spotlight below.


If you haven’t yet had a chance to see Edward in action, I invite you to visit him at the JMZ soon!


Lauren Angelo

President, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

Edward enjoys using his skateboarding skills to move around the JMZ.

Photo courtesy of Lee Harper.

Animal Encounters Program Highlight:

Edward, the Skateboarding Tortoise

By Lee Harper

During an All-Staff Meeting I made an offer to the JMZ’s Education Department that Edward could come help teach classes as part of the Animal Encounters Program. The teachers jumped at the chance to have Edward involved. The first request caught me by surprise. It required Edward to be at class at 9:30 a.m. Oh dear, I hadn’t anticipated such an early start time. Edward thermoregulates and at 9:30 a.m. his circulation and mobility are quite limited until he warms up.


I had just seen a video of a little turtle on a skateboard chasing a cat and he looked like he was having so much fun. Would Edward be willing to try that? How would I train him?



We offered him an old skateboard from the 1970s on the first day. He sort of had the concept, but the wheels were too static to allow him to steer. Our Zoo Director, Sean Ramsdell, found us some swivel wheels and Gene Aikin, from the Exhibits Department, fashioned a larger skateboard to accommodate Edward’s size. 


By the second day of training on his new skateboard, he was skateboarding down the California Dinosaur Garden ramp with a big smile on his face with the confidence and joy of a fellow that had been skateboarding all his life. He loved it! And so began the adventures of Edward the Skateboarding Tortoise.

Left: Edward explores the zoo on the second day of his skateboard training.

Right: Edward cruises down the ramp in the California Dinosaur Garden.

Photos courtesy of Lee Harper.

His early morning classes are a breeze, thanks to the added assistance of Kat Burton, Keeper and Friends Ambassador, who escorts us through doors and the crowds of guests who come along on our journeys.

Edward joins JMZ Educator Sarah’s 9:30 a.m. class at the JMZ.

Photos courtesy of Kat Burton.

Edward has become a regular fixture during classes at the JMZ. Students are absolutely mesmerized watching him skateboard and walk around the room. Would you have guessed that a giant tortoise could be such a wonderful teacher?

Edward enjoys a snack as he teaches a class with Lee.

Photos courtesy of Kat Burton.

Edward also makes appearances on special occasions, such as the Friends’ Halloween at the JMZ and Super Family Sundays, which are free appreciation events for families with children with disabilities.

Lee and JMZ Volunteer Mason, walk alongside Edward as he skates through the exhibit hall during Super Family Sunday. Photo courtesy of Laurie Phillips.

Edward takes a stop in the sand pit (right) and skates through the zoo during Halloween at the JMZ (left). Photos courtesy of BQ Creative (right)

and Miguel Martinez (left).

We’re so thankful for the generosity of our donors who support the Animal Encounters Program, which allowed Edward to learn how to skateboard. Your contributions further allow us to support the JMZ’s mission to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature.

DONATE NOW
Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301
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