Sixteen Critically Endangered Tortoise Hatchlings Make Debut at Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo just welcomed a new generation of slow-moving royalty — and gave them the red carpet treatment.

Sixteen critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoises made their public debut Wednesday in a rare celebration that drew smiles and admiration from staff and visitors alike.

The tiny 🐣Hatchlings, born to a pair of centenarian parents, are being hailed as a major win for the species’ survival, according to the Associated Press.

Animal care specialists proudly showed off the 🐣Hatchlings on a special pathway next to the zoo’s tortoise habitat. The young tortoises, still small but thriving, are “eating well and growing,” according to zoo officials.

The parents, lovingly referred to as Mommy and Abrazzo, are estimated to both be around 100 years old. Mommy has been a longtime resident — she arrived at the zoo in 1932 but never had offspring until Abrazzo joined her nearly five years ago from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina.

The result? A full-blown tortoise baby boom.

“Now this animal, who’s been in Philadelphia since 1932, will be represented here for, hopefully, another 100 years because her offspring are now part of our collection,” said Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology.