Latest news with #WesternSanta
Ammon
06-04-2025
- General
- Ammon
Galapagos tortoises at Philadelphia Zoo become first-time parents at nearly 100
Ammon News - A pair of critically endangered, nearly 100-year-old Galapagos tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo have become first-time parents. In an announcement Friday, the zoo said it is 'overjoyed' at the arrivals 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. The first egg hatched on Feb. 27 and more that still could hatch are being monitored by the zoo's animal care team. '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,' President and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman said in a statement. 'Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her,' she said. '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.' Mommy is considered one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' species survival plan. She is also the oldest first-time mom 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. The zoo plans a public debut of the hatchlings on April 23, as well as a naming contest. *AP
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
- General
- Yahoo
Critically endangered tortoises hatched for the first time in zoo's 150-year history
Four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched for the first time in the Philadelphia Zoo's 150-year history. The hatchlings were born to the approximately 100-year-old Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise known as 'Mommy,' who is now the oldest first-time mom of her species and the zoo's oldest resident. '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,' Philadelphia Zoo's president Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman said in a statement. The hatchlings' father, 'Abrazzo,' is also estimated to be around the same age. The first of the little reptiles hatched on February 27 and they are expected to make their public debut on April 23. They are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan breeding program. Mommy is considered to be one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the program. Abrazzo came to the zoo in 2020. Since then, Mommy has laid four clutches of eggs. But, the prior three were not viable. These hatchlings were from a clutch she laid in November. Female tortoises typically lay between two and 20 eggs in a hole they dig. Mommy laid 16 last year. Half were incubated as female and the others were incubated as males. The baby tortoises that have hatched were incubated at a higher temperature, which produces female tortoises. The eggs hatch after four to eight months. The hatchlings are currently growing at the zoo's Reptile and Amphibian House and weigh about as much as a chicken egg. 'As an AZA-accredited institution, we take great responsibility participating in the Galapagos Tortoise Species Survival Plan, and are thrilled for this successful pairing of Mommy and Abrazzo,' said Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. 'At one point, each of the Galapagos Islands had its own unique Galapagos tortoise, but sadly, several of them are now extinct,' she added. 'These hatchlings not only protect the species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places.' The zoo is home to three adult Galapagos tortoises, including another female named Little Girl. Galapagos tortoises, which can be found on the Pacific Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, are the largest living species of tortoise. Males can grow to as many as 500 pounds, while females average around 250 pounds. The cold-blooded animals typically spend one to two hours basking in the sun before another eight to nine hours of grazing and relaxing. Scientists estimate they can live between 100 to 200 years old. There are currently 13 living species that are native to seven of the island. Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are threatened by human-wildlife conflict, the introduction of invasive species, and habitat loss. Climate change is also a concerning factor that researchers say could affect the tortoises' reproductive success. There are now only around 3,400 left in the wild.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Critically endangered tortoises hatched for the first time in zoo's 150-year history
Four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched for the first time in the Philadelphia Zoo's 150-year history. The hatchlings were born to the approximately 100-year-old Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise known as 'Mommy,' who is now the oldest first-time mom of her species and the zoo's oldest resident. '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,' Philadelphia Zoo's president Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman said in a statement. The hatchlings' father, 'Abrazzo,' is also estimated to be around the same age. The first of the little reptiles hatched on February 27 and they are expected to make their public debut on April 23. They are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan breeding program. Mommy is considered to be one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the program. Abrazzo came to the zoo in 2020. Since then, Mommy has laid four clutches of eggs. But, the prior three were not viable. These hatchlings were from a clutch she laid in November. Female tortoises typically lay between two and 20 eggs in a hole they dig. Mommy laid 16 last year. Half were incubated as female and the others were incubated as males. The baby tortoises that have hatched were incubated at a higher temperature, which produces female tortoises. The eggs hatch after four to eight months. The hatchlings are currently growing at the zoo's Reptile and Amphibian House and weigh about as much as a chicken egg. 'As an AZA-accredited institution, we take great responsibility participating in the Galapagos Tortoise Species Survival Plan, and are thrilled for this successful pairing of Mommy and Abrazzo,' said Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. 'At one point, each of the Galapagos Islands had its own unique Galapagos tortoise, but sadly, several of them are now extinct,' she added. 'These hatchlings not only protect the species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places.' The zoo is home to three adult Galapagos tortoises, including another female named Little Girl. Galapagos tortoises, which can be found on the Pacific Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, are the largest living species of tortoise. Males can grow to as many as 500 pounds, while females average around 250 pounds. The cold-blooded animals typically spend one to two hours basking in the sun before another eight to nine hours of grazing and relaxing. Scientists estimate they can live between 100 to 200 years old. There are currently 13 living species that are native to seven of the island. Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are threatened by human-wildlife conflict, the introduction of invasive species, and habitat loss. Climate change is also a concerning factor that researchers say could affect the tortoises' reproductive success. There are now only around 3,400 left in the wild.
