In a groundbreaking achievement, the Philadelphia Zoo announces the successful hatching of four endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, marking the first instance of tortoise parenthood in the zoo’s history. The hatchlings, the offspring of 100-year-old tortoises Abrazzo and Mommy, represent a hopeful step for species conservation.
Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes First-Ever Hatchlings from Endangered Tortoises
Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes First-Ever Hatchlings from Endangered Tortoises
The Philadelphia Zoo celebrates a historic milestone with the birth of four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises, highlighting conservation efforts and the importance of genetic diversity.
The Philadelphia Zoo has made headlines with the exciting news of its first-ever hatchlings from a critically endangered species. A pair of Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, 100 years old, have become first-time parents, revealing a rare achievement in the zoo's 150-plus-year history. The proud parents, known as Abrazzo and Mommy, welcomed four hatchlings, creating a buzz of joy at the zoo's headquarters.
Mommy, who arrived at the zoo in 1932, is recognized as the oldest known first-time mother of her species, a testament to the longevity and conservation challenges facing these turtles. With fewer than 50 Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises in U.S. zoos, the births are particularly significant as the species is critically endangered in the wild.
The first of the hatchlings emerged on February 27, with the remaining eggs anticipated to hatch in the following weeks. Each of the four newborn tortoises weighs between 70 and 80 grams and is currently being cared for away from the public eye at the zoo's Reptile and Amphibian House. They are reportedly thriving, and zoo officials plan a public unveiling for the hatchlings on April 23, a date chosen to coincide with Mommy’s 93rd anniversary at the zoo.
Jo-Elle Mogerman, the zoo’s president and CEO, has expressed excitement about this remarkable milestone, emphasizing its importance not only for the Philadelphia Zoo but also for broader conservation efforts. She noted, "This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn't be more excited to share this news with our city, region, and the world.”
Meanwhile, Abrazzo, having relocated to Philadelphia in 2020 from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina, plays a crucial role in this breeding program aimed at preserving genetic diversity and ensuring the survival of species. The zoo aspires that these hatchlings will contribute to a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on a healthy planet a century from now, embodying hope for conservation and heritage.
