Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes First-Time Giant Tortoise Parents

In a remarkable event, a pair of 100-year-old giant tortoises at Philadelphia Zoo have become new parents, welcome four hatchlings and making history in the process.

In an unprecedented event, the Philadelphia Zoo has become the proud host of its first giant tortoise hatchlings, thanks to a pair of critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises named Abrazzo and Mommy. The zoo announced this week that four new hatchlings have emerged, a monumental achievement in its 150-plus-year history. Notably, Mommy, who has been at the zoo since 1932, holds the record for the oldest first-time mother of her species.

The Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are teetering on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 50 individuals residing in U.S. zoos. The first hatchling was welcomed into the world on February 27, with the remaining eggs expected to hatch in the coming weeks. The hatchlings each weigh between 70 and 80 grams and are currently being cared for behind-the-scenes at the zoo’s Reptile and Amphibian House, where staff report they are thriving.

To celebrate their arrival, the zoo has scheduled a public unveiling for April 23, coinciding with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the facility. These hatchlings are part of a breeding program endorsed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, aimed at ensuring the survival of species and fostering genetic diversity.

"This is a significant milestone in the history of the Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn't be more excited to share this news with our city, region, and the world," said Jo-Elle Mogerman, the zoo's president and CEO. She emphasized the importance of the hatchlings as part of a vision for a sustainable future, where they will contribute to a healthy population of Galapagos tortoises a century from now. Abrazzo, since his arrival from the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina in 2020, has been a pivotal part of the breeding program, while Mommy has been a cherished attraction for nearly a century, likely seen by generations of visitors.