Catherie Souffront - Sulcata turtoise Les poilus - Radio Canada
21 June 2026
Georges the Sulcata Tortoise Charms Catherine Souffront
Some animal encounters completely surprise us. That is exactly what happened during a segment featuring Joanie Asselin, biologist and president of Educazoo, alongside Catherine Souffront and host Dr. Sébastien Kfoury.
For the occasion, Joanie brought one of Educazoo’s most beloved animals: Georges, the sulcata tortoise. At first, Catherine openly admitted that reptiles were not really her favorite animals. Yet just a few minutes with Georges completely changed her perspective. By the end of the encounter, she even declared that she had found her “spirit animal.” It just goes to show that sometimes all it takes is meeting the right reptile!
Georges, an Explorer at Heart
From the moment he arrived on set, Georges had one thing on his mind: exploring. Sulcata tortoises naturally travel several kilometers every day in search of food. Even when they are well fed, they retain their natural instinct to explore and forage.
Georges wasted no time setting off on an adventure. He wandered all around the studio, eager to discover his surroundings and investigate every corner. At one point, the team even had to offer him a few snacks to encourage him to stay with the hosts instead of continuing his exploration!
This constant curiosity is an important part of his personality and one of the reasons why he captivates everyone he meets.
A Guest Completely at Ease
One of the things that impressed the team most during filming was how comfortable Georges was. While watching Georges eat and freely explore the set, Joanie explained one of the tools Educazoo’s biologists and animal care specialists use to assess animal welfare. An animal that willingly eats in a new environment filled with cameras, lights, and unfamiliar people is often showing a very high level of comfort. Between the cameras, bright lights, movement, and unfamiliar smells, many animals need time to adjust before feeling completely relaxed.
Georges, however, behaved as if he were right at home.At Educazoo, biologists and animal care specialists continuously observe different behaviors to evaluate the well-being of animals during educational activities. Feeding, exploring, reactions to new situations, and social interactions are all important indicators. Every animal has its own personality, but Georges stands out because of his exceptionally social and curious nature.
The Star of the Studio
Since it was the final show of the season, the team gathered for a small snack after filming. And true to himself, Georges decided to join in. While everyone was chatting and celebrating the end of the season, he wandered among the guests, crew members, and technicians.
Before long, he had become the studio’s unofficial mascot. Everyone wanted to see him, talk about him, or simply watch him stroll around. Even after the segment was over, Georges continued exploring his surroundings enthusiastically, as though he were part of the production team himself.
A Giant in the Making
What is particularly impressive about Georges is that he is still far from reaching his full adult size. Male sulcata tortoises can grow to nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) during their lifetime. For now, his size still allows the Educazoo team to bring him to educational events and media appearances.
But one day, transporting Georges will become much more challenging! That is what makes this stage of his life so special. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to share his adventures with the public while he continues to grow. And if Catherine Souffront’s reaction taught us anything, it is that there is sometimes a reptile capable of winning absolutely anyone over.
Reconnecting People with Wildlife
For more than 25 years, Joanie Asselin and the Educazoo team have worked to bring people closer to biodiversity through educational, ethical, and memorable encounters. The meeting between Georges and Catherine Souffront is a perfect example of that mission.
Someone who believed she was not particularly fond of reptiles ended up falling in love with a tortoise that explored the studio as if it owned the place. When we take the time to discover animals, understand their behaviors, and observe them in a positive environment, misconceptions quickly disappear. And if Catherine’s reaction taught us anything, it is that sometimes a single animal can completely change the way we see an entire group of species.
In her case, that ambassador had a shell, a big appetite, and a name well known at Educazoo: Georges.
