Loss of Famous tortoise Triggers Conservation Acts

Lonesome George, the last remaining specimen of the Galapagos tortoise sub-species known as the Pinta Island tortoise, passed away on June 24, 2012. He was thought to have lived for over 100 years, having been found by Galapagos National Park in 1972. He died of unkown causes, but some suggest it was heart failure. The death of this conservation-and wildlife, for that matter- icon is truly a great loss. Throughout the time Galapagos National Park had George, scientists had tried to get George to mate with a different subspecies of tortoise, an endeavor that continued to fail since 1993. Clutches of eggs were laid twice, but all proved to be infertile. Scientists plan to perform a necropsy to better identify the cause of the tortoise's death, and they also propse to display George's body at the park. So long, George. We'll miss you.

-PJ

Source: www.WorldWildlife.org

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