After years of searching for the one, the world's most famous tortoise - Hugo the Galapagos tortoise - has finally met his new girlfriend, Estrella.
The meeting came just in time for the Australian Reptile Park's reopening after almost four months in lockdown.
Coming all the way from Zoo Rostock Germany, Estrella is a 21-year-old female Galapagos tortoise Hugo met after the Australian Reptile Park put him on dating app Tinder back in 2019, the people at the wildlife sanctuary say.
Estrella was due to arrive in early 2020, but due to complications in travel and COVID-19, it was put off.
She arrived at the Australian Reptile Park in June and was held in mandatory quarantine for three months until their historic meeting last week.
Daniel Rumsey, head of reptiles at the park, said he couldn't be more excited for Hugo.
"He's been looking for a mate for some time now so to see the two of them together finally is honestly one of the best things I've witnessed in my life," he said.
The pair have been waiting patiently to meet for the first time and whilst Estrella spent her three months in quarantine, Hugo and Estrella were able to see each other via a series of FaceTime dates set up by their keepers.
During lockdown, the Australian Reptile Park did not waste the downtime without visitors. The wildlife sanctuary used the time upgrading the Galapagos tortoise exhibit to ensure Estrella would have a comfortable new home.
"Hugo's got a bit of an extra bounce in his step now and we can now sigh with relief since the lovers have met," Mr Rumsey said.
"I can already tell they are in love; they haven't left each other since they met. Who knows, maybe within the next few years we will have some baby Galapagos tortoises."
Hugo and Estrella are paired as part of Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia's prescribed species breeding program. There are plans for the tortoises to breed within the next five years, with hopes that the pitter patter of tiny tortoise feet will be heard around the Australian Reptile Park.
Leg-up for live music
City of Newcastle is again putting up grants to encourage local live music after lockdown.
Venues across the city can apply for grants of up to $1500 to put on live music, comedy or micro-theatre style shows. The money can be used to pay performers $300 per gig, the council says.
Adam Hardy, who runs The Rogue Scholar on Union Street, said the funding came at a critical time for venues and artists.
"This announcement will be music to the ears of the local live performance industry, who have been hit hard by the prolonged lockdown," he said.
Applications can be lodged for the Locally Made and Played grants on the council's website - they close on October 29.
