Lonesome George dies

[tybrad]

The granddaddy Pinta Island giant tortoise sentinel, Lonesome George, died yesterday facing his watering hole. With no offspring and no known individuals from his subspecies left, Lonesome George became known as the rarest creature in the world. The old man was about 100 y.o., and another subspecies dies with him.

Full story.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18574279

 

[Rome]

That's a long time to wander this old planet. I wonder if it is possible to harvest his seed to impregnate a female tortoise?

Rome

 

[erictrumpet]

Phew, I thought you meant George Thorogood.
Sad about the tortoise, though.

Eric.

 

[dew042]

Phew, I thought you meant George Thorogood.
Sad about the tortoise, though.

Eric.

Both prefer to drink alone.

.dew

 

[pioneervato]

Well that's just sad indeed.

 

[Curse]

:-(

Terrible shame, he was the last of his kind. Apparently, they did manage to get him to mate with a couple of females, but fertilization was unsuccessful.

According to the 'net, work with George was helpful in conservation of tortoises in other locations, so he did his bit!

Myself and my wife keep two Russian (Horsfield) tortoises - Pod and Cornelius. They are nowhere near the size of old George...

Dan