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Galapagos Tortoise Becomes First-Time Mother at Philadelphia Zoo
In heartwarming news from the Philadelphia Zoo, Mommy, a Galapagos tortoise and long-term resident, has become a first-time mother at the remarkable age of approximately 100 years old. This significant event marks the first successful hatching of this species at the zoo, a momentous occasion in the realm of Galapagos tortoise conservation.
Historic Hatching at Philadelphia Zoo
Mommy, who has resided at the zoo since 1932, deposited 16 eggs in November. Of these, four have successfully hatched, representing the inaugural breeding success for her species at the institution since its opening in 1874. She received assistance from Abrazzo, a male tortoise also estimated to be around 100 years of age.
Centenarian Parents
Mommy and Abrazzo, both members of the Western Santa Cruz subspecies of Galapagos tortoise, are the oldest animals at the Philadelphia Zoo. Despite their age, Galapagos tortoises are known for their longevity and can live up to 200 years, placing them squarely in middle age according to zoo officials.
Delightful Hatchlings Make Their Debut
The first hatchling emerged on February 27, as announced by the zoo. The remaining three followed within days, with the final one hatching on March 6. These new arrivals, currently unnamed, are anticipated to be viewable to the public starting April 23, according to zoo authorities. Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians), described them as doing “fantastic.”
“Feisty” Miniature Tortoises
Ms. Augustine noted the hatchlings are currently about the size of a tennis ball and possess a surprisingly “feisty” demeanor.
Significance for Endangered Species
The birth of these hatchlings carries considerable weight as Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Prior to these recent births, only 44 Western Santa Cruz Giant tortoises existed in zoos across the United States, according to the Philadelphia Zoo.
Separate Living Arrangements for Safety
Due to their immense size – Abrazzo weighs 410 pounds and Mommy around 280 pounds – the infant tortoises will likely never share their habitat with their parents. This precaution is necessary to prevent the hatchlings from being accidentally crushed.
Mating Success Story
Unlike Mommy, Abrazzo is not a first-time parent. In 2011, he participated in a successful pairing at his previous residence, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C., which resulted in the unexpected discovery of five hatchlings.
Strategic Pairing for Genetic Diversity
Abrazzo’s arrival at the Philadelphia Zoo was at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, who identified him as a suitable genetic match for Mommy. Introduced in 2022, Mommy began laying eggs in 2023. She has laid four clutches of eggs in total. While the first three sets were not viable, the fourth proved fertile.
Artificial Incubation for Hatchlings
Following egg-laying, zoo personnel carefully measured and weighed the eggs. They were then placed in artificial incubators, maintained at two different temperatures: one to encourage female offspring and a slightly higher temperature to promote males. Notably, all four hatchlings from this year are female, although three additional eggs remain under incubation.
Testament to Zoo Care
Stephen Divers, a professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia, highlighted the significance of this reproductive success, stating it is “sort of a testimony to the excellent care that she must be receiving at that institution.” He emphasized the challenges of “keeping a giant tropical tortoise appropriately in the northern hemisphere.”
Future for the Hatchlings
The hatchlings will remain in captivity for a minimum of five years. Subsequently, the zoo will determine their future in consultation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Options include placement at another zoo if they represent a valuable genetic match, or potential release into the wild on the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. However, Rachel Metz, the Philadelphia Zoo’s vice president of animal well-being, cautioned that reintroduction to the wild carries inherent risks.
Wild Challenges
Ms. Metz outlined dangers in their natural habitat including, “extreme risk from natural disasters, disease potentially, climate change and invasive species.”
Conservation Efforts and Population Rebound
Centuries ago, the Galapagos tortoise population was estimated in the hundreds of thousands. Hunting for human sustenance led to a decline in numbers. However, in the last half-century, due to dedicated conservation and breeding programs, the population has rebounded to around 17,000.
Stable Western Santa Cruz Population
Population estimates for the Western Santa Cruz tortoise vary. Stephen Blake, an assistant professor of biology at St. Louis University with extensive experience with Galapagos tortoises, suggests the population is likely in the thousands and appears stable and growing.
Research Opportunity and Public Awareness
Juan Manuel Vazquez, a biologist studying aging in long-lived animals, including Galapagos tortoises, noted the rarity of reproduction in captivity and the small population size means that “every additional tortoise counts.” These hatchlings offer a unique opportunity for researchers to study tortoises from a young age in a controlled environment.
Indirect Conservation Impact
Dr. Blake indicated that while reproduction at 100 years old is not uncommon for Galapagos tortoises in the wild, the impact of these hatchlings on direct conservation efforts is likely to be limited. However, he emphasized the indirect value, stating, “if the zoo can promote the wonder of a 100-year-old reptile producing babies for the first time and use that as a vehicle to promote wonder among people and a conservation ethic, then so much the better.”