“With nearly 100 years old, endangered turtle becomes a mother for the first time!”
Just like humans, some animals experience parenthood later than usual. A pair of tortoises from the western part of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands, residing at the Philadelphia Zoo, have recently become parents just as they are approaching their 100th year.
In a noteworthy event this month, the Philadelphia Zoo welcomed four hatchlings born to the male Abrazzo and the female Mommy. These hatchlings represent the first offspring born at the zoo, which boasts a rich 150-year history. Mommy, the oldest documented individual of her species, has now become a mother, with the possibility of more hatchlings arriving in the upcoming weeks.
Galapagos tortoises, named after the islands they inhabit off the coast of Ecuador, are recognized as the largest tortoises globally and can live up to 170 years in captivity. The tortoises from the western part of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos are a part of the 13 subspecies that exist.
Conservation efforts have been crucial in reversing the declining population of these tortoises, particularly due to hunting and the introduction of invasive species in the 19th century. Although their population numbers have increased, they still remain only in the wild. The western Santa Cruz tortoises face a significant risk of extinction, making the recent hatchlings’ birth a vital step in their conservation.
It wasn’t easy
Despite living at the Philadelphia Zoo for over 90 years, motherhood arrived late for Mommy. The zoo orchestrated a blind date between Mommy and Abrazzo from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina as part of the Species Survival Plan by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Following this, Mommy began laying eggs in 2023 after the successful mating.
After several attempts, the batch of eggs laid in November 2024 finally saw success. The sex of the Galapagos tortoise offspring is determined by the incubation temperature of the eggs. Of the 16 eggs laid by Mommy, the zoo team ensured the appropriate conditions for 8 males and 8 females to hatch. As of now, the four hatchlings that emerged are all females.
The birth of these hatchlings signifies a significant achievement for the animal care team at the Philadelphia Zoo, who meticulously provided Mommy with the necessary conditions for egg-laying and incubation. This milestone reflects years of dedication to studying animal behavior and ensuring the best care for the animals. Furthermore, these hatchlings hold great importance in maintaining the genetic diversity of the AZA population for the protection of this species.
