Kylie Kelce’s Wild Day: Conservation, Confessions, and Critically Endangered Babies at the Philadelphia Zoo

In the second episode of her series, FAFO (Fuck Around and Find Out), Kylie Kelce explored one of her favorite places on Earth, the Philadelphia Zoo, to see firsthand the mission of conservation that drives the accredited institution. Joined by zoo director Danny Hogan and various animal care experts, Kylie got up close with some of the planet’s most unique creatures, facing her fears and witnessing a miraculous conservation success story.

Matchmaking and ‘Cheese Wiz’ the Tiger

Kylie’s first stop was to meet Whiz, a 13-year-old Amur tiger whose nickname is “Cheese Wiz.” The Amur tiger is a critically endangered species, with only about 400 to 500 left in the wild. Kylie learned that the zoo’s work directly supports the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a massive database among zoos that helps manage and diversify the genetic makeup of endangered populations.

Kylie got an insider peek at a “Love Island”-style matchmaking situation for Whiz and his brother Dimmitri, who are both potential mates for Rory, a newly arrived female tiger. The goal is to ensure the healthiest continuation of the species. Senior Director of Animal Care, Maggie Morse, also stressed the biggest misconception about tigers: despite their adorable qualities, they do not make good house pets due to their innate instincts and power.

A 24-Year-Old Snake

Next, Kylie bravely faced a long-running phobia by meeting Kenya, a 24-year-old Kenyon Sand Boa. She quickly formed a bond with the gentle snake, noting that Kenya was the most perfect animal she had ever seen. Working with Dr. Christine Higgby, Senior Director of Animal Health and Nutrition, Kylie held Kenya and even assisted with a mock veterinary health check, which involved feeling the snake’s body and examining its unique four-part jaw.

Kylie was impressed by Kenya’s gentle disposition and found out that the snake was born in 2001—the same year as Kylie herself. She noted the experience was a huge personal win, joking that she now has an excuse to potentially welcome a cat (or another snake) into her home.

The Miracle of Mommy the Tortoise

The most emotional and impactful part of the day was meeting Mommy, a critically endangered Galapagos tortoise estimated to be 96 or 97 years old. Mommy has been a resident of the Philadelphia Zoo for 93 years, meaning multiple generations of Philadelphians have grown up seeing her.

Despite her name, Mommy had never had babies until recently. After being introduced to a male of the same specific subspecies, she laid a clutch of eggs. The zoo’s animal care staff strategically incubated the eggs, a necessary step due to the Philadelphia winter and to control the sex of the babies (tortoise sex is determined by incubation temperature).

The result was astonishing: 16 brand new baby Galapagos tortoises were successfully hatched. As Dr. Hogan explained, these 16 babies increased the entire critically endangered species’ population by a third. Because Mommy is a first-time mother at nearly 100 years old, her DNA is highly valuable and unrepresented, making the birth a monumental conservation success. Kylie came “this close” to crying tears of joy as she saw the tiny new additions.

The Future of Conservation

Kylie concluded her day by feeding the tallest residents—the giraffes Abby and Stella—and speaking with Dr. Joel Mogerman, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo. Dr. Mogerman stressed that the core foundation of the zoo is conservation, with all decisions made for “what’s best for the animal.” He cited the ethical decision to move the zoo’s elephants years ago because the landlocked space could no longer provide the absolute best environment for them.

Looking ahead, Dr. Mogerman highlighted the upcoming opening of “Cary Bear Country” in Spring 2026, a new habitat for Andean and sloth bears that will also feature an upgraded habitat for the returning penguins. Through these hands-on opportunities like giraffe feeding and behind-the-scenes tours, the Philadelphia Zoo strives to spark curiosity, wonder, and awe, creating lifelong memories while promoting global conservation.