These Are The Names Of Philly Zoo's New Tortoise Hatchlings

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Zoo Monday announced the names of its newest family members.

Those new members are four female Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise hatchlings. They are the first such hatchlings at the zoo in its 150-plus-ear history.

As part of the celebration for the historic event, the public was invited to vote on names for the four.

Community members voted on these names:

Mary, Joan, Grace, Hellen, Liberty, Independence (Indy for short), Betsy, and Belle, Aunt Viv, Willie, Jazz, Avery, Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia.

More than 13,500 people voted on the names.

And they went with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia—named after the lead characters in "Golden Girls."

"Thank you to everyone who came out to meet our future golden girls, voted on their names, donated, and shared their story around the world," the zoo said in announcing the names.

The hatchlings made their public debut on April 23.

Also as part of the tortoise hatchling celebrations, the zoo hosted a tortoise painting auction. The auction raised $10,500, with all proceeds going to the zoo's conservation fund.

The zoo has designed t-shirts to support their care. The three designs are based off of photos taken of the baby tortoises and Mommy. Slogans include “Never Too Late,” “Saving Species Since 1859,” and “Live Long and Grow a Thick Shell.” Part of the proceeds will go to the zoo’s animal care fund. T-shirts are available online here.