A century-old tortoise pair at the Philadelphia Zoo have become first-time parents, marking a historic milestone in the zoo’s conservation efforts and welcoming four critically endangered hatchlings.
A pair of critically endangered giant tortoises aged about 100 years old have become first-time parents at the Philadelphia Zoo, marking a historic milestone in the zoo’s 150-plus-year history. The births were announced this week, and the zoo is overjoyed by the arrival of four hatchlings from ‘Abrazzo’ and Mommy, a pair Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises.
Giant tortoises are the largest tortoise species, with some individuals reaching weights of over 900 pounds and living up to 150 years in captivity.
These slow-moving giants inhabit tropical islands, feeding on leaves, fruits, and flowers.
There are two main species: the Galapagos giant tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect these gentle creatures from habitat loss, hunting, and other human threats.
A Rare Achievement
The first of Abrazzo and Mommy‘s eggs hatched on February 27, with others quickly following. The zoo’s animal care team is monitoring several other eggs that could still hatch in the coming weeks. The four hatchlings weigh between 70 and 80 grams and are being kept behind-the-scenes, inside the Reptile and Amphibian House.
Tortoise hatchlings emerge from eggs after a gestation period of approximately 100 to 200 days, depending on the species.
At hatching, they are about 2-5 cm (0.8-2 inches) long and weigh around 20-50 grams.
Newborn tortoises have a soft shell that hardens within the first few weeks after hatching.
Their diet consists mainly of plants, insects, and fruits.
Tortoise hatchlings grow rapidly during their first year, increasing in size by up to 10 times.
A Sign of Hope for Conservation
The hatchlings are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ breeding programme, aimed at the survival of species and genetic diversity. This achievement is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and the zoo’s president and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman expressed her excitement to share this news with the public.
A Tribute to Mommy’s Long History
Mommy arrived at the zoo in 1932, making her the oldest known first-time mother of her species. ‘Philadelphia Zoo’s vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now,’ said Ms Mogerman.
The four hatchlings are set to make their public debut on April 23, which marks the 93rd anniversary of Mommy‘s arrival at the zoo. This event is also a celebration of the zoo’s commitment to conservation and the preservation of species like the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise, one of the most critically endangered in the wild.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving ecosystems and protecting threatened species.
Habitat preservation, wildlife monitoring, and controlled hunting are key strategies.
Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) play crucial roles in conservation.
According to IUCN, over 27,000 animal species face extinction risk.
Effective conservation requires collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities.
