Tortoise hatchlings of century-old parents come out of their shells at US zoo

Staff members pose for photographs several of the 16 critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoise hatchlings during their debut at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, US (Matt Rourke/AP)

Sixteen critically endangered tortoises born to some very old parents got the red carpet treatment at a US zoo event to show off the highly prized hatchlings.

The pampered tortoises were born in a series of hatches this year to Mommy and Abrazzo, a couple estimated to both be around 100-years-old, at Philadelphia Zoo.