They’re nearly 100 years old and just became first-time parents: Meet the happy couple
This sweet older couple is proof that it’s never too late to save the planet.
The Philadelphia Zoo announced on Friday that a pair of critically endangered Galapagos tortoises have become first-time parents at the age of nearly 100 years old.
Nearly 100-year-old tortoises welcome hatchlings
The zoo has been around for more than 150 years, but has never witnessed the birth of Galapogos tortoises, until now. The mother’s name is Mommy and the father is Abrazzo, and they are the oldest residents in the Philadelphia Zoo.
“This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo,” said President and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman in a statement. “And we couldn’t be more excited to share this news with our city, region and the world.”
Mommy and Abrazzo are now the proud parents of four hatchlings, which are being held at the Reptile and Amphibian House for the time being, “eating and growing appropriately”, according to the zoo. The first egg hatched on February 27, but more could still come and the zoo’s animal care team is carefully monitoring them. The current babies weigh between 70 and 80 grams.
This is an especially exciting time, as Mommy is considered one of the most genetically valuable of her species in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ species survival plan. She is the oldest first-time mom of the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos species, which can live up to 177 years, so still plenty of time to be a mother where she comes from.
“Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her,” said Mogerman.
The zoo is planning to show off the baby tortoises for the first time on April 23 and there will be a naming contest.
“Philadelphia Zoo’s vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now,” Mogerman said.
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