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PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Zoo is overjoyed to announce the arrival of four baby Galapagos tortoises, a first in the zoo’s 160+ year history. These tiny but mighty additions are the offspring of the zoo’s oldest residents, Mommy (a fitting name!) and Abrazzo, both estimated to be around 100 years old.
The quartet hatched between February 27th and March 5th, weighing in at a delicate 70-80 grams – about the weight of a chicken egg. They’re currently being cared for behind the scenes at the Reptile and Amphibian House, where they’re reportedly “eating and growing appropriately.” The zoo’s animal care team is also keeping a close eye on additional eggs that may yet hatch.
This birth is a landmark event, not just for the Philadelphia Zoo, but for the conservation of these critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises. Mommy, who arrived at the zoo way back in 1932, holds the distinction of being one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ species survival plan, and is the oldest first-time mom of her subspecies.
Zoo President and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman expressed excitement about the hatchlings and the zoo’s commitment to their future, hoping they will contribute to a thriving tortoise population for generations to come.
The public can meet these shelled newcomers starting April 23rd. The zoo also plans to hold a naming contest, so start brainstorming those creative monikers!