Endangered Tortoise Gives Birth at 100: A Conservation Milestone at Philadelphia Zoo

Over at our sibling site, Ark In Space, there's a truly heartwarming story about a 100-year-old Galápagos tortoise named Mommy, who has become a first-time mother at Philadelphia Zoo. After nearly a century without offspring, Mommy surprised keepers by laying sixteen eggs - eight of which have so far successfully hatched. As one of the oldest members of a critically endangered species, her hatchlings offer new hope for conservation efforts. Set to make their public debut on April 23, exactly 93 years after Mommy arrived at the zoo, these tiny tortoises represent a rare and valuable addition to their fragile genetic lineage.