Two giant Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises with an estimated age of 100 have become parents for the first time. In a statement released on April 4th, the Philadelphia Zoo in the United States announced the birth of four babies.

The babies were born to the female Mommy and the male Abrazzo, the zoo’s oldest residents. They were born after Mommy laid 16 eggs, in November 2024, and came into the world weighing between 70 and 80 grams, roughly the weight of a chicken egg.

This is the first successful birth of the endangered species in the zoo’s 150-year history. Mommy arrived at the zoo in 1932 and, although her exact age is unknown, it is estimated that she is close to 100 years old, making her the oldest first-time mother ever. Abrazzo’s age is about the same and just as unclear.

The reproduction of the giant Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises is considered an important milestone for the conservation of the species, since in addition to the few that live in the wild in the Galapagos archipelago in Ecuador, there are only 50 specimens in zoos in the USA.

For now, the cubs are being kept away from public view. The Philadelphia Zoo plans to officially introduce the new residents on April 23rd, the day that the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the zoo will be celebrated. A contest will also be held to choose the reptiles’ names.

Sources: G1, O Globo, and CNN Brasil

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