Last Pinta giant tortoise dies
Staff at the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador have announced Lonesome George, believed to be the last tortoise of its subspecies, has died. Scientists have estimated the tortoise to be around 100 years old, making him just a young adult as the subspecies can live up to the age of 200.
Pinta tortoises were plentiful on the Galapagos Islands until the late 19th century, but were later hunted for their meat by sailors and fishermen to the point of extinction. Lonesome George became part of the Galapagos National Park breeding programme; however, the only eggs he fathered during his time there were infertile.
With no offspring and no known individuals from his subspecies left, Lonesome George became known as the rarest creature in the world.
Lonesome George became a symbol of the Galapagos Islands and managed to attract over 180,000 visitors a year. Park officials have said that his body will probably be embalmed in order to conserve him for future generations.
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