92 year old Galápagos tortoise becomes mother helps save species from extinction at Philadelphia Zoo

92-year-old Galápagos tortoise becomes mother for first time at Philadelphia Zoo in conservation milestone.

In a historic first for the Philadelphia Zoo, a 92-year-old Galápagos tortoise named Mommy has given birth for the first time, becoming the oldest documented member of her species to do so.

The milestone marks a significant step in efforts to preserve the endangered Galápagos tortoise population, of which only around 20,000 remain in the wild. Mommy and her mate, Abrazzo, welcomed four baby tortoises following a clutch of eggs laid in November 2024. The successful hatching came after three previous clutches failed to produce offspring, making this fourth attempt especially meaningful. The event also represents the first time Galápagos tortoises have been bred successfully at the Philadelphia Zoo in its 150-year history.

Abrazzo, whose name resembles the Spanish word for “hug,” was transferred from a South Carolina zoo in 2020 as part of a Species Survival Plan aimed at increasing genetic diversity and population numbers for Galápagos tortoises. According to the zoo, not all the eggs from the clutch have hatched yet, leaving room for the possibility of additional hatchlings.

The zoo has announced a public debut for the baby tortoises on April 23, coinciding with Mommy’s 93rd birthday celebration. As part of the event, the public will be invited to help name the new additions.

"This is a monumental achievement not only for the Philadelphia Zoo but also for global conservation efforts," the zoo stated.

Mommy’s late-in-life motherhood serves as a powerful symbol of resilience for a species fighting to recover from centuries of decline due to habitat loss and exploitation. Zoo officials hope the hatchlings will contribute meaningfully to the long-term survival of their species through future breeding and educational outreach programs.