The Philadelphia Zoo took to social media last week to announce some potentially thrilling news. The hatching of four female Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises demonstrates the zoological institution’s dedication to conservation. The hatchlings broke out of their eggs, with the first making its official debut on February 27th. These hatchlings joined a clutch of 16 eggs that their mother, whimsically named Mommy, laid in November of 2024. This event is meant to showcase the zoo’s commitment to establishing a sustainable, genetically diverse population of this species in human care.
Mommy’s been hanging out at the zoo since 1932. She is recently accompanied by her friend Abrazo, a 96-year-old tortoise who came at the zoo in December 2020. The couple’s new offspring represent a hopeful future for the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise, the largest living tortoise species and native to Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands. The hatchlings will be on exciting public view in the Reptile and Amphibian House starting April 23. Mommy’s special event marks another occasion, too — it’s the 93rd anniversary of her arrival in the Cincinnati zoo!
The Philly Zoo’s vision goes way beyond these cute little hatchlings. They aim for these young tortoises to contribute to a healthy ecosystem and a sustainable population of Galapagos tortoises a century from now. Equipped with a colourful mosaic, the zoo takes pride in another adult tortoise named Little Girl. On top of that, two enormous Aldabra tortoises, Betty and Wilma, are often found wandering around.
The zoo’s animal care team is on cloud nine for the hatchlings! They’re keeping a close watch on more eggs that could hatch in the coming weeks.
“All are doing well, eating and behaving appropriately,” – A Philadelphia Zoo spokesperson.
The emergence of these hatchlings is a hopeful reminder that positive conservation efforts for endangered species can and do make a difference. The Philadelphia Zoo encourages visitors to engage with its mission and learn about the critical role these tortoises play in their native habitat.
