Philadelphia Zoo wants help naming new tortoise hatchlings
The babies' mother, Mommy and father, Abrazzo, are both Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises.They are both 100 years old and became parents for the very first time, with Mommy becoming the oldest known first-time mother of her species. The arrival of the hatchlings is a big deal as Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are critically endangered in the wild, and there are currently fewer than than 50 in US zoos.The tortoises are part of a special breeding programme focused on the survival of the species.
"This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn't be more excited to share this news with our city, region, and the world," said Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO Dr Jo-Elle Mogerman after the tortoises hatched. "Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her. "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."
Up until Wednesday, the babies had been kept away from the public view so that staff at the zoo could make sure they were eating and growing properly. To celebrate the arrival of the tortoises, Philadelphia Zoo is asking the public to help choose names for them. Staff at the zoo have come up with four groups of names for the quartet which each have different themes:• Female herpetologists (scientists who study reptiles and amphibians): Mary, Joan, Grace and Hellen (named after Mary Cynthia Dickerson, Joan Beauchamp Proctor, Grace Olive Wiley, Helen Thompson Gaige)• Celebrating Philadelphia: Liberty, Independence (Indy), Betsy and Belle• The Golden Girls: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia• Fresh Prince of Bel Air: Aunt Viv, Willie, Jazz and AveryPeople are being asked to vote for their favourite set of names for and the winner will be announced on Monday 28 April. Which group of names would you choose for the baby tortoises and why? And are there any names which aren't on the list which you'd choose if you had the chance? Why not let us know in the comments below.
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