CWU to bid farewell to Snorkel the Tortoise with August 14 sendoff

Since 2008, Snorkel the sulcata tortoise has greeted visitors to Central Washington University’s greenhouse with his trademark stoicism and appetite for foliage.

Due to some shell health concerns caused by insufficient access to sunlight, however, the time has come to send the gentle giant off on his next adventure to a tortoise sanctuary in Arizona.

Greenhouse manager Linnea Stavney has seen firsthand the love that the Ellensburg community has for Snorkel over the past 17 years.

“People from the community and students come here on Fridays just to spend time with him in the greenhouse,” she said. “Some have told me that Snorkel was the reason they started considering college, which is kind of incredible to hear. They’ve found friends and community here, as fellow reptile-lovers.”

In celebration of Snorkel’s time with CWU, as well as the bright future ahead of him, the community is invited to a free farewell party on Thursday, August 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the CWU greenhouse, located just behind Dean Hall. Refreshments and much-requested Snorkel T-shirts will be available for attendees as they share their memories with the guest of honor and wish him luck on his road trip.

Since his arrival in 2008, Snorkel has become a fixture of the CWU biology department, contributing to the curriculum as well as the culture.

“Members of the public love to come and visit him, and he’s been part of many classes ranging from herpetology to art,” Stavney said. “He’s been a great source of both joy and education. One of the biggest lessons he teaches is patience.”

Snorkel is 19 years old, still quite young for his species, especially since nobody actually knows how long sulcata tortoises can live in captivity, given that humans have only been caring for them for a hundred years or so. Stavney is certain that the life lessons imparted by Snorkel will stick with his friends in Ellensburg long after his retirement to sunny Arizona.

“He lives a slower pace of life, and it really reminds you to slow down and enjoy yours,” she said. “He doesn’t know about politics; he doesn’t know about money; he doesn’t know about anything except chomping on grass.”