The Land Animal That Became A New Parent At An Age Humans Can Only Dream Of

People can learn plenty from observing motherhood in the wild. Whether preparing for a new litter of puppies or visiting a zoo to see its latest little addition, seeing animals' love for each other across species can be eye-opening. While each new addition to a family is a little miracle unto itself, some hold a significance that makes them newsworthy.

One remarkable birth occurred on April 4, 2025, at the Philadelphia Zoo. It was announced that a pair of Galapagos tortoises nearing their hundreds had hatched four eggs. It was the zoo's first birth of the near-extinct tortoise in over 150 years. The proud parents, the oldest residents at the zoo, were the aptly named Mommy and her partner, Abrazzo. Mommy, a long-time resident who arrived in 1932, is 97 years old, while Abrazzo is 96. While there have been successful hatchings, with the previous one in 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina, Mommy is on record as the oldest first-time mom among the Galapagos.

Compared to humans, 97 is an outstanding age to live to, let alone become a mother. Yet, in captivity, the large tortoise can boast an impressive lifespan, with the oldest on record being Harriet at the Australia Zoo, at 175. Still, Mommy's motherhood isn't just a curiosity; it's a lifeline for her species, as the happy family will help with future conservation and awareness of the threatened tortoise.

Mommy and Abrazzo's four little ones are essential in helping to conserve the Galapagos tortoise population. There are only around 15,000 total left in the wild and captivity. However, there are various sub-species, some more endangered than others. The new hatchlings from the Philadelphia Zoo belong to the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos species; you can see the proud parents and babies in the video below from the Philadelphia Zoo YouTube channel.

The Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise, with a population of 3,400, is registered as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The birth of the four shelled siblings has increased the number of tortoises in captivity in American zoos to 48. In a statement by the vice president of animal well-being and conservation at the Philadelphia Zoo, Rachel Metz, reiterated the importance of the four new additions: "At one point, each of the Galapagos Islands had its own unique Galapagos tortoise, but sadly, several of them are now extinct. These hatchlings not only protect the species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places."

Those who want to see the adorable and historic additions to the Philadelphia Zoo can view them after April 23, 2025. Even if you can't make the trip, animal enthusiasts and lovers have plenty of reasons to celebrate the new addition and what it means for the longevity of the rare Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise. Want to read more about remarkable events happening in the animal kingdom? Check out the article on the unique 'one-in-a-million' animal spotted in Western Texas.