Latest news with #PhillyZoo
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Galapagos tortoises become first-time parents aged nearly 100
A pair of critically endangered, nearly 100-year-old Galapagos tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo have become first-time parents. The zoo said it was 'overjoyed' over the arrival of the four hatchlings, a first in its more than 150-year history. The babies are the offspring of female Mommy and male Abrazzo, the zoo's two oldest residents. The quartet is being kept behind the scenes inside the Reptile and Amphibian House for now, 'eating and growing appropriately', the zoo said. They weigh between 70 and 80 grams, about the weight of a chicken egg. We have INCREDIBLE news! 🎉 For the first time in our 150+ year history, four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched! 🐢 Mommy, who's around 100 years old, is now the oldest first-time mom of her species! Read more👉 — Philly Zoo (@phillyzoo) April 3, 2025 The first egg hatched on February 27, with more eggs that are yet to hatch being monitored by the zoo's animal care team. President and chief executive Jo-Elle Mogerman said: '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. '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.' Important pieces of history just hatched at Philadelphia Zoo… Stay tuned for the announcement tomorrow! 🤭 — Philly Zoo (@phillyzoo) April 3, 2025 Mommy is considered one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) species survival plan. She is also the oldest first-time mother of the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos species. The last clutch of such tortoises to hatch at an AZA-accredited zoo was in 2019 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. The San Diego Zoo, Zoo Miami and Honolulu Zoo also have breeding pairs of the reptiles. The Philadelphia Zoo is planning a public debut of the hatchlings on April 23, as well as a naming contest.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
One adult, two juveniles, charged in connection to Lancaster County shots fired incident
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Three people have been charged in connection to a shots fired incident at a Lancaster County home in March. According to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, one adult and two juveniles were charged in connection to a shots fired incident that occurred in the 600 block of First Street on March 23. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Officers responded to a report of shots fired and found multiple people running from the residence. Police said that officers removed multiple adults and juveniles from the residence upon arrival at the scene, but everyone was uncooperative and didn't provide much information about the incident. An individual attempted to walk back into the residence but was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction. Police said his arrest caused the crowd outside to become disruptive, leading officers to call for backup to help with crowd control. An initial investigation revealed that a shot was fired in the residence at some point, but no one was injured. Philly Zoo announces birth of critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan Three other individuals were arrested and charged during the incident. Police said Efrain Torres-Ramos Jr., 18, of Lancaster County, was charged with Firearms Not to Be Carried Without a License and recklessly endangering another person. Two juveniles were also charged in connection to the incident. Police said a 17-year-old and 14-year-old were charged with burglary and simple assault. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
