A set of 16 critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoises was born to two century-old parents at the Philadelphia Zoo over the spring and summer, spurring hope for the fate of the species
A critically endangered species of tortoise is in slightly less danger of extinction after a pair of century-old parents produced 16 hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Mommy and Abrazzo, a couple of western Santa Cruz tortoises, are both estimated to be about 100 years old. They’re two of the last living members of their species, which only boasts about 3,400 mature individuals as of 2016 statistics collected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) thousands upon thousands less than historic numbers.
Mommy was brought to the Philadelphia Zoo in 1932 when she was believed to have been several years old, and she’s resided there since. Abrazzo, meanwhile, was brought to the zoo about five years ago from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina.
The 16 hatchlings, some of which made their public debut back in April, were treated to a slow walk and red carpet treatment on Wednesday in an event to show off the highly prized progeny Mommy’s first in her century-long life.
Animal care specialists who have watched over the 16 since they were eggs held the animals on a pathway by the zoo’s tortoise habitat. They’re all said to be eating well and growing.
The pampered turtles were born in a series of hatches, with four females hatching early this spring. They were all named after characters in the TV show Golden Girls. Then, three males hatched in April, followed by Mommy’s second clutch, which produced three females in June and six males over the summer.
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“Now, this animal, who’s been in Philadelphia since 1932, will be represented here for, hopefully, another 100 years because her offspring are now part of our collection,” Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology, told The Associated Press.
Mommy and Abrazzo are among the Philadelphia Zoo’s oldest inhabitants, and they’re both seen as highly genetically valuable for the survival of the species.
Their offspring are considered a win for conservation efforts focused on bringing back a heavily slashed but slowly increasing population of wild western Santa Cruz tortoises so named because they’re native to the western portion of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.
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The hatchlings are expected to remain at the zoo for at least a year before they’re placed in different facilities next fall. After that, their fate remains unclear except that they’ll likely contribute to the continuation of their species.
Western Santa Cruz tortoises are one of 13 living species of tortoise native to seven islands in the Galápagos archipelago. They’re the largest species of tortoise, and they’re believed to live for as long as 200 years.
The zoo is soliciting donors to suggest names for one of the male hatchlings. The name will be subject to the zoo’s approval. The other baby tortoises are named Zee, James, Colette, Soledad, Isabelle, Roger, Fausto, Caldero, Lee, Marigold Puddlefoot and Kelpy. To distinguish them, the zoo uses nontoxic nail polish in different colors.
The Philadelphia Zoo is also home to two giant Aldabra tortoises, Wilma and Betty. Meanwhile, at Zoo Miami, a 135-year-old Galápagos tortoise named Goliath became a father for the first time this past June.
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