Is Lonesome George extinct?
On June 24, 2012, Lonesome George died, and the Pinta Island tortoise became entirely extinct. Lonesome George, the “loneliest animal on the planet,” died on June 24, 2012. Lonesome George was the only documented Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra abigdoni).
How old was the tortoise Lonesome George?
About 100 years old
About 100 years old, this giant tortoise is the symbol of the islands and he is a story of the importance of the preservation of species. Lonesome George was a giant tortoise from the island of Pinta in the northern regions of the Galapagos Archipelago.
Is the Pinta Island tortoise still alive?
The tortoise found only on Pinta Island (Chelonoidis abingdoni) went formally extinct in 2012, when its last representative, a male held in captivity and nicknamed Lonesome George, died. He was a major conservation icon and at one point considered by Guinness World Records as the world’s rarest living creature.
Why did Lonesome George go extinct?
Lonesome George died of natural causes in June 2012. Despite numerous breeding attempts, the tortoise had been unable to reproduce.
How old was George the turtle?
Lonesome George
| Lonesome George at Galápagos National Park headquarters, photograph taken in December 2006 | |
|---|---|
| Species | Chelonoidis niger abingdonii (Pinta Island tortoise) |
| Died | June 24, 2012 (aged 101–102) Galápagos National Park |
| Resting place | Taxidermied and on display at Galápagos National Park |
| Nation from | Ecuador (Galápagos) |
Is the Abingdon Island tortoise still alive?
abingdonii may still exist in the wild on Isabela. Researchers identified one male tortoise from the Wolf Volcano region that had half its genes in common with George’s subspecies. This animal is believed to be a first-generation hybrid between the subspecies of the islands Isabela and Pinta.