100-year-old creatures at PA zoo welcome 9 babies. See the couple’s rare brood
The Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating a big moment for an almost-extinct reptile species: the hatching of nine critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises.
The babies will join their seven siblings, which hatched earlier this year. All 16 were parented by Abrazzo and Mommy, the zoo said in an Aug. 20 Instagram post.
“These nine hatchlings — six males and three females — are the second ever clutch of this species to hatch in Philadelphia Zoo’s history,” the zoo said.
“These offspring join seven others that hatched earlier this year and made Mommy the oldest first-time mom of her species. Mommy and their dad, Abrazzo, are both nearly 100 years old! The hatchlings are spending time in their habitat inside the Reptile and Amphibian House, in their outdoor habitat near the building, and behind the scenes.”
According to CBS News, with the addition of the 16 hatchlings, the total of the rare tortoises now under human care in North America is up to 60.
Mommy came to the zoo in 1932 but had never bred until Abrazzo was brought in from Columbia, South Carolina, in 2020, ABC News said.
“Now this animal, who’s been in Philadelphia since 1932, will be represented here for, hopefully, another 100 years because her offspring are now part of our collection,” Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology, told ABC.
These specific tortoises are found in the wild on the Galapagos Islands and can grow to between 250 and 500 pounds.
“Scientists estimate they can live between 100-200 years old. There are currently 13 living species that are native to seven of the islands,” the Philadelphia Zoo said.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM with the headline "100-year-old creatures at PA zoo welcome 9 babies. See the couple’s rare brood."