Calgary Zoo welcomes endangered Egyptian tortoise

There’s a tiny new member of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family.

The zoo says a critically endangered Egyptian tortoise was born on July 8.

The hatchling came from a clutch of two eggs laid in April by one of the zoo’s Egyptian tortoises named Alexandria. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare Team (ACHW) will continue to monitor the second egg but remain cautiously optimistic about its viability.

“The successful hatching of this newest addition is especially exciting for our team and important for the species,” said Mona Keith, Animal Care Supervisor, in a statement. “For many visitors, their first experience seeing incredible species, like these tiny tortoises, happens at our facility. This special moment builds connections and inspires action for wildlife conservation.

“With Egyptian tortoises being critically endangered in the wild, our support in helping them successfully produce offspring, while raising awareness about their conservation status, is vital for their survival.”

There are five males and three females in the zoo’s tortoise group, collectively known as a creep.

The zoo says its ACHW team has been working to successfully breed the critically endangered tortoises since the species first arrived at the zoo in 2015. Successful breeding can be challenging as there are several factors, including variable incubation periods, temperature, and more.

The hatchling is the first successful hatching of an Egyptian tortoise since their arrival at the zoo nearly a decade ago.

Now nine days old, the hatchling — whose sex has not yet been confirmed — lives separately in a back-of-house space and is actively exploring its habitat more each day. While it grows, the baby will remain behind the scenes and not viewable to the public.

“Conservation isn’t just something we do; it’s our purpose and underscores our deep connection to nature and our duty to help safeguard the world we share,” said Keith. “Like this tiny tortoise emerging into a vast world, its arrival symbolizes hope and resilience for its species. Through dedicated conservation efforts and education, we can foster this hope and strive towards a future where these remarkable reptiles can flourish.”