Lonesome George is the last know individual of the Pinta Island Tortoise, a subspecies of the Galapagos tortoise.
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| Lonesome George |
George was first seen on the island of Pinta on 1 December 1971 by American Joseph Vagvolgyi. The island's vegetation had been devastated by introduced feral goats, and the population had been reduced to a single individual, George. Relocated for his safety to the Charles Darwin Research Station, George was penned with two females of a different subspecies, but although eggs have been produced, none has hatched.
George is estimated to be 60–90 years of age, and is in good health. A prolonged effort to exterminate goats introduced to Pinta is now complete and the vegetation of the island is starting to return to its former state.
There is a reward of $10,000 for the discovery of a Pinta female.
Isn't it sad to know that only George is left? What will happen if his time is up and nothing can be done to save this species? Will he have to join the Dodo Birds? Or can we do something? Is it too late?
