AP/PHILADELPHIA At a Philadelphia Zoo event on Wednesday, sixteen critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoises born to some extremely elderly parents were given a slow walk and the red carpet treatment in order to display the highly valued hatchlings.
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The 16 were kept on a walkway near the zoo’s tortoise habitat by animal care experts who have been watching them since they were eggs. It is said that the hatchlings are growing and eating healthily.
This year, Mommy and Abrazzo, a couple who are both thought to be around 100 years old, gave birth to a number of pampered turtles. Before Abrazzo was brought in from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, almost five years ago, Mommy had not given birth to any children since arriving at the zoo in 1932. Her first children are sixteen.
“Her offspring are now part of our collection, so this animal, which has been in Philadelphia since 1932, will hopefully be represented here for another 100 years,” said Lauren Augustine, head of herpetology at the zoo.
The names of four girls who hatched early this spring were inspired by Golden Girls characters. After Mommy’s second brood produced three girls in June and six males this summer, three males were hatched in April.
The oldest residents of the Philadelphia Zoo, Mommy and Abrazzo, are thought to be extremely genetically valuable to the species’ survival. In the fight to protect western Santa Cruz tortoises, their progeny are regarded as a victory.
Before being moved to other locations in the fall, they are anticipated to stay at the zoo for a minimum of a year.
Among the 13 extant species of tortoises, western Santa Cruz tortoises are indigenous to seven islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, which make up the Galapagos chain. They are believed to live up to 200 years, making them the biggest species of tortoise.
Subject to zoo permission, the zoo is asking contributors to recommend names for one of the male hatchlings. Zee, James, Colette, Soledad, Isabelle, Roger, Fausto, Caldero, Lee, Marigold Puddlefoot, and Kelpy are some of the other names. To set them apart from one another, the zoo utilizes nontoxic nail varnish in various hues.
Wilma and Betty, two enormous Aldabra tortoises, are also kept at the Philadelphia Zoo. In June, Goliath, a 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise, became a father for the first time at Zoo Miami.
