A 100-year-old tortoise becomes a mom: The seemingly impossible happened!

History has been made at the Philadelphia Zoo, where a roughly 100-year-old western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise, named Mommy, has become a mother for the very first time. This incredible milestone is not only a success for the zoo but also a crucial step for the critically endangered species.

Mommy has been a resident of the zoo since 1932, and anyone who has visited in the last 90 years has likely seen her. The successful breeding occurred with a male tortoise of a similar age, named Abrazzo, who moved to Philadelphia in 2020. Out of the 16 eggs laid, the first hatchlings to emerge have all been females, which is especially good news for the future of the species.

This remarkable achievement is even more significant because, prior to these hatchlings, there were only 44 western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises in all U.S. zoos. The new additions represent a new genetic lineage and provide much-needed support for the population.

#Galapagos #Tortoise #EndangeredSpecies #Wildlife #PhiladelphiaZoo #Conservation #Miracle

#Continentsurfer

Source:LiveScience

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