{"id":162308,"date":"2025-08-20T23:21:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T23:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/162308\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T23:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T23:21:11","slug":"philadelphia-zoo-welcomes-9-more-critically-endangered-galapagos-tortoises-born-to-first-time-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/162308\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Zoo welcomes 9 more critically endangered Gal\u00e1pagos tortoises born to first-time parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Zoo<\/a> celebrated a slow and steady success in conservation: the hatching of nine new critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Gal\u00e1pagos tortoises<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The new arrivals were revealed Wednesday outside the zoo’s Reptile & Amphibian House, marking a historic moment for the zoo and for the species.<\/p>\n

The nine new babies join seven siblings<\/a>\u00a0born last year, all to the zoo’s beloved tortoise pair, Mommy and Abrazzo, who are estimated to be 97 and 96 years old, respectively<\/a>. That brings their total clutch to 16 hatchlings \u2014 a significant boost for a species teetering on the edge of extinction.<\/p>\n

“Even as a kid, I was into the giant tortoises,” said visitor Dirk Kinsey. “It’s super fun to see them up close.”<\/p>\n

Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology, said these hatchlings aren’t just adorable; they’re vital.<\/p>\n

“Not only were we able to reproduce these extremely genetically valuable animals,” Augustine said, “and increased the population in human care in North America from 44 individuals to 60.”<\/p>\n

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CBS News Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

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CBS News Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

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CBS News Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Because Mommy has been at the zoo since 1932, Augustine said her legacy will now live on through her offspring for “hopefully another 100 years.”<\/p>\n

Two of the new tortoises have already been named Roger and Isabella.<\/p>\n

A new fundraising campaign gives donors the opportunity to name<\/a>\u00a0one of the animals. For every $25 donation, supporters receive one entry to win naming rights for one of the male hatchlings. Proceeds go directly to animal care and conservation.<\/p>\n

“Rocky would be a very good tortoise name,” Kinsey said.<\/p>\n

The tale of Mommy and Abrazzo has reached over 16 billion people worldwide, and has been featured in 16,000+ media stories and mentioned on Saturday Night Live. It’s gone viral on every major social media platform.<\/p>\n

“We are so proud to replicate that success,” said Augustine. “It shows what we can achieve together in the name of conservation.”<\/p>\n

\n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n

Josh Sanders<\/a><\/p>\n

Josh Sanders is a journalist shaped by life-changing events. He joined the CBS News Philadelphia family in August 2023 as a reporter and multi-skilled journalist.<\/p>\n