Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Historic Hatching of Endangered Tortoises

Four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, born to centenarian parents, mark a major conservation milestone for the zoo.

The Philadelphia Zoo successfully hatched four Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, the first in its 150-year history.
The hatchlings were born to 'Mommy' and 'Abrazzo,' both approximately 100 years old, with Mommy becoming the oldest first-time mother of her species.
The hatchlings emerged from a clutch of 16 eggs laid in November 2024, with previous clutches proving non-viable.
This breeding success is part of the AZA Species Survival Plan, aimed at increasing genetic diversity and preventing extinction of the critically endangered species.
The hatchlings are being nurtured at the zoo and will make their public debut on April 23, 2025, coinciding with Mommy's 93rd anniversary at the zoo.