The Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating a historic milestone with the successful hatching of four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises—the first time such an event has occurred in the institution’s 150-year history. This momentous achievement marks a major conservation breakthrough, as the zoo continues to contribute meaningfully to global wildlife preservation efforts.
The proud parents of the hatchlings are Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, a subspecies listed as “critically endangered.” These two gentle giants are also the zoo’s oldest residents, both believed to be around 100 years old. The female, affectionately known as Mommy, holds particular significance in the conservation world. Not only is she one of the most genetically valuable tortoises within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, but she is also now the oldest known first-time mother of her species.
Currently, the hatchlings are being carefully monitored behind the scenes in the Reptile and Amphibian House. They are eating well, developing as expected, and gaining strength in preparation for their public debut, which is set for April 23. The date holds special meaning—it coincides with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the Philadelphia Zoo in 1932. As Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, noted, “Hatched in the wild, Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her.”
The journey to this moment was years in the making. The zoo’s herpetology team, led by Director Lauren Augustine, has spent extensive time researching tortoise behavior, optimizing habitat conditions, and refining breeding techniques. Augustine highlighted the significance of the achievement, saying, “This successful outcome comes from years of hard work studying animal behavior and providing top-level care. Until now, Mommy’s genes were not represented in the AZA population, making these offspring extremely important in the protection of this species.”
Abrazzo, the father of the hatchlings, was transferred to the Philadelphia Zoo in December 2020 from Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina as part of a breeding recommendation. To accommodate the breeding pair, the zoo acquired a new substrate composed of sand and soil to encourage nesting behaviors. Over the next few years, the animal care team closely observed Abrazzo and Mommy. Despite laying eggs on three previous occasions, those clutches were not viable. However, in November 2024, Mommy laid a promising clutch of 16 eggs, which were carefully excavated and placed in incubation. The first successful hatch occurred on February 27, with more expected in the coming weeks.
“This is not just a win for the Zoo, but for conservation science,” said Rachel Metz, Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation. “These hatchlings not only protect this species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places.”
The hatchlings will remain at the Philadelphia Zoo for at least five years as they continue to grow and develop. During that time, officials will work closely with the AZA to determine if and when the young tortoises will be relocated to other accredited facilities to help diversify the genetic pool of the species. Prior to their birth, there were only 44 Western Santa Cruz tortoises housed in U.S. zoos, underscoring the importance of this latest addition.
Each of the Galapagos Islands originally hosted its own unique tortoise species, with some individuals known to live well over 100 years and even up to two centuries. Tragically, several of these island subspecies have gone extinct due to habitat loss, introduced predators, and exploitation by humans. Today, only 13 known species remain, scattered across seven of the islands.
The zoo hopes this landmark birth will be a stepping stone toward rebuilding the population of these ancient creatures. “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.
With this remarkable success, the Philadelphia Zoo continues to play a vital role in the preservation of one of the world’s most iconic and imperiled reptiles, reinforcing its commitment to conservation, education, and hope for future generations.
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