Endangered tortoise, 97, welcomes four hatchlings at Philadelphia Zoo
(A rare Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise who is estimated to be 97 has become the oldest known first-time mother of her species, according to officials at Philadelphia Zoo.
Mommy, who has lived most of her life at the Pennsylvania institution, and Abrazzo, a roughly 96-year-old of the same reptilian stripe, are the new parents to four hatchlings. The newborns bumped the population of Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises in U.S. facilities to 48. In addition to the family of six, Philadelphia Zoo also has Little Girl, who was born at a Bermuda facility in 1940 and moved north in 1956.
The offspring, the first of their kind for the 150-year-old zoo, are a major boon for the future of the critically endangered species. The zoo will debut the currently nameless babies — the staff differentiates them by a dab of nontoxic nail polish on their shells — on April 23. Their introduction to the public will coincide with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the zoo. They will reside at the popular Philly attraction for at least five years.
Because of their young age and diminutive size, they will live in a protected habitat in the Reptile and Amphibian House, separate from the hulking adults, who can weigh up to 500 pounds.
“They will not be in yard yet because they’re far too small,” said Rachel Metz, the zoo’s vice president of animal well-being and conservation. “The yard is obviously designed for 300- or 400-pound animals, not half-a-pound animals.”)
(A rare Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise who is estimated to be 97 has become the oldest known first-time mother of her species, according to officials at Philadelphia Zoo.
Mommy, who has lived most of her life at the Pennsylvania institution, and Abrazzo, a roughly 96-year-old of the same reptilian stripe, are the new parents to four hatchlings. The newborns bumped the population of Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises in U.S. facilities to 48. In addition to the family of six, Philadelphia Zoo also has Little Girl, who was born at a Bermuda facility in 1940 and moved north in 1956.
The offspring, the first of their kind for the 150-year-old zoo, are a major boon for the future of the critically endangered species. The zoo will debut the currently nameless babies — the staff differentiates them by a dab of nontoxic nail polish on their shells — on April 23. Their introduction to the public will coincide with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the zoo. They will reside at the popular Philly attraction for at least five years.
Because of their young age and diminutive size, they will live in a protected habitat in the Reptile and Amphibian House, separate from the hulking adults, who can weigh up to 500 pounds.
“They will not be in yard yet because they’re far too small,” said Rachel Metz, the zoo’s vice president of animal well-being and conservation. “The yard is obviously designed for 300- or 400-pound animals, not half-a-pound animals.”)
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