Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates First Galapagos Tortoise Hatchlings in 150 Years!

Quick Smiles:

• The Philadelphia Zoo welcomes four new Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, a first in its 150-year history.
• Mommy, the 100-year-old first-time mom, is a key genetic asset in the AZA’s Survival Plan.
• The hatchlings will debut on April 23, marking Mommy’s 93rd anniversary at the Zoo.

The Philadelphia Zoo is buzzing with excitement as it celebrates a monumental milestone: the hatching of four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises.

This marks the first time in the Zoo’s long-standing history that such an event has occurred.

The proud parents of these hatchlings are none other than two of the Zoo’s oldest residents, Western Santa Cruz tortoises estimated to be around 100 years old.

The female, affectionately known as Mommy, holds a special place in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Survival Plan due to her invaluable genetic contribution.

She has made history by becoming the oldest first-time mother of her species.

“Until now, Mommy’s genes were not represented in the AZA population, making these offspring extremely important in the protection of this species,” said the Zoo’s Director of Herpetology, Lauren Augustine.

The hatchlings are currently thriving in a behind-the-scenes setting within the Reptile and Amphibian House.

The first of these little wonders emerged on February 27, and the animal care team is still keeping a close eye on more eggs that might hatch soon.

These adorable newcomers are part of the AZA breeding program, a vital initiative to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species.

The last time Western Santa Cruz tortoises hatched at an AZA-accredited zoo was in 2019 at a zoo in South Carolina.

Other zoos with breeding pairs include those in San Diego, Miami, and Honolulu.

The Zoo’s animal care team has been dedicated to creating the perfect conditions for Mommy to lay her eggs and for them to successfully hatch.

Back in December 2020, Abrazzo, the father of the hatchlings, joined the Zoo as part of a breeding recommendation from another zoo.

The team studied Abrazzo’s behaviors and provided Mommy with new nesting materials like sand and soil.

Since 2023, Mommy has laid four clutches of eggs, though only the most recent attempt resulted in viable hatchlings.

The Zoo’s President, Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, emphasized, “Hatched in the wild, Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her.”

The hatchlings will make their grand public debut on April 23, coinciding with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the Zoo.

These precious additions will remain at the Zoo for at least five years, after which officials will collaborate with the AZA to decide their future.

Rachel Metz, the Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation, highlighted the broader impact: “These hatchlings not only protect this species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places.”

With only 44 individual Western Santa Cruz Giant tortoises in U.S. zoos before their arrival, these hatchlings bring a fresh genetic lineage and much-needed hope for the species’ future.

The Zoo’s vision is that these hatchlings will contribute to a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises for many years to come.

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