Lonesome George a Father?

Ever since he was discovered in 1971 roaming Pinta Island in Ecuador’s Galapagos, the last remaining member of the Pinta sub-species of giant tortoise, affectionately known as Lonesome George, has been a global environmental icon. He's considered the rarest living species.

Estimated to be 90 years old, scientists at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, began to think that after 36 years in captivity, and no offspring, Lonesome George might be fated to a lifetime of bachelorhood. He had become the butt of jokes for many. Efforts to get the giant tortoise to mate and father more of his species — such as having him watch his peers engage in sex — failed spectacularly.

But finally last year, 11 eggs were surprisingly hatched with one of his longtime mates. Since 1993, he has lived with two female tortoises, both who seemingly share his non-committal lifestyle sensibility. Unfortunately however, after the 120-day incubation period, the eggs turned out to be infertile. But this month brought good news. Five more tortoise eggs from another female companion have arrived, lifting hopes once again that the lone Pinta tortoise will finally be a father. We will know for sure in three months.

The giant tortoises are only found in the Galapagos, an archipelago of 13 main islands protected as a national park, and the Seychelles Islands northeast of Madagascar. They are the largest tortoises in the world and typically have lifespans in excess of 150 years.

Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands, giant tortoises were nearly wiped out in the Galapagos  Islands by hunters and from competition for dwindling food sources among invasive species such as feral goats and wild pigs. The Pinta subspecies itself was thought extinct until  the discovery of Lonesome George. Hopefully he can keep the good family name going.

Photo courtesy of Galapagos Conservancy.