4 New Tortoises Make Their Debut at the Philadelphia Zoo Next Week

The post 4 New Tortoises Make Their Debut at the Philadelphia Zoo Next Week appeared first on A-Z Animals.

The Philadelphia Zoo welcomed four new Western Santa Cruz tortoises, a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise. What makes these new additions remarkable is that their mother, affectionately named Mommy, is the oldest known first-time mother of her species. The father, also in his 90s, is named Abrazzo.

Mommy is 97 and has been at the Philadelphia Zoo since 1932. Milton W. Holden of Philadelphia donated a then 40-pound Western Santa Cruz giant tortoise to the zoo on April 23, 1932. Records suggest Mommy may have been collected on South Albemarle Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Holden acquired her during an extended trip to the islands. Mommy has been at the zoo ever since.

We spoke with Lauren Augustine, the Philadelphia Zoo’s Director of Herpetology, about Mommy and the efforts it took to make her a mommy.

The Breeding Program

This isn’t just a love story about two turtles creating a family. Many individuals, programs, and entities played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of this species.

The process of getting these eggs has been a long time coming. According to Augustine, Mommy is considered one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). “The program wanted to capture her genetics because her offspring are so important,” Augustine says.

The process for reproduction started several years ago, and part of that process was making a tortoise yard at the Philadelphia Zoo. The yard housed several females, including Mommy, and was designed to ensure there is plenty of room to keep everyone safe. Safety is paramount when you consider that Mommy weighs 285 pounds and Abrazzo weighs 410 pounds.

Abrazzo shared time with other females, but he eventually chose Mommy in 2022. Augustine explains that Mommy had three clusters of eggs that first season, yet none of those eggs had developed. However, Augustine and everyone in the program were so excited since it was the first time Mommy had eggs in 20 years. Progress was being made.

The tortoises are brought inside and separated during that winter, but they were reintroduced in 2023. Then, in November 2024, Mommy laid 16 eggs, and four offspring hatched in April 2025. Augustine says that this is a testament to long-term planning and care. 

The Baby Tortoises

The babies are part of the AZA SSP breeding program, which ensures the survival of this species and maintains a genetically diverse population. Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are listed as critically endangered. 

Once the eggs were laid, Augustine said it was requested to have half female and half male. For these tortoises, the temperature during incubation determines the hatchlings’ sex. Before the babies were born, there were 44 individual Western Santa Cruz tortoises in United States zoos, but now, thanks to Mommy and Abrazzo, there are 48. 

Augustine mentioned that Mommy may breed again, but they will wait for recommendations from the breeding transfer program to determine if this is necessary. However, right now, everyone is just in celebration mode over these new hatchlings. The baby tortoises will debut on Wednesday, April 23, the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the Zoo.

Conservation

“Conservation is so important for us all,” Augustine emphasizes. “There are laws and legislation, but everybody has a role in the conversation.”

For Augustine, Mommy represents the critical importance of her species and how essential it is to preserve their habitat. She says everything is connected — threats to wildlife include humans, the introduction of invasive species, feral cats, and habitat loss, all of which impact animals at local and global levels. We can look at ways to engage in conservation, and Augustine suggests one powerful tool is to visit zoos. “Modern zoos are conservation schools, so visiting zoos is incredibly important,” Augustine adds. 

According to the Philadelphia Zoo website, the ways that zoos help in conservation are through education and awareness, breeding programs, and research and innovation. Through interactive exhibits and a dedicated staff, visitors and students gain valuable insights into the importance of species conservation by connecting with their favorite animals. In-school educational programs further enhance this understanding. Zoos worldwide actively engage in breeding programs for endangered species.

By carefully managing genetic diversity and selecting breeding pairs like Mommy and Abrazzo, these programs aim to strengthen threatened animal populations in human care and provide valuable information to researchers working with wild populations. In collaboration with scientists, conservationists, and veterinary professionals, zoos are often at the forefront of groundbreaking research to understand species and develop effective preservation strategies.

Conclusion

The arrival of the new hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo marks a significant milestone in the conservation efforts for the Western Santa Cruz tortoise. With a rich history and dedicated care, Mommy and her offspring symbolize hope for the future of their species. As the zoo continues its commitment to education and conservation, it highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and the vital role each individual can play in protecting our planet’s biodiversity. Visitors not only witness the joy of new life but also contribute to ongoing efforts that ensure these remarkable tortoises and countless other species can thrive for generations to come.

The post 4 New Tortoises Make Their Debut at the Philadelphia Zoo Next Week appeared first on A-Z Animals.