The giant tortoise Lonesome George, whose failed efforts to produce offspring made him a symbol of disappearing species, was found dead at the Galapagos National Park
Lonesome George was believed to be the last living member of the Pinta island subspecies and had become an ambassador of sorts for the islands off Ecuador’s coast, whose unique flora and fauna helped inspire Charles Darwin’s ideas on evolution.
The tortoise’s age was not known but scientists believed he was about 100, not especially old for giant tortoises, who can live well over a century. Scientists had expected him to live another few decades at least.
Various mates had been provided for Lonesome George, after he was found in 1972 in what proved unsuccessful attempts to keep his subspecies alive.
Attempts were initially made to mate Lonesome George with two female tortoises from Wolf Volcano. But the eggs they produced were infertile.
Two females from Spanish island’s tortoise population, the species most closely related to Pinta tortoises, were placed with him last year.
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