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| The most famous of all Galápagos Tortoises is Lonesome George, and there he is cooling off in a puddle behind the tree. Why is he Lonesome? At one time there were fifteen subspecies of tortoises in the Galápagos. Now only eleven subspecies remain, five on Isabela Island, and the other six on Santiago, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Pinzón, Española and Pinta. The Pinta subspecies is likely due to become extinct as only one single male is known to be alive -- this one! Some tortoises have been removed from the islands over the years, placed in zoos or just transplanted -- so the Charles Darwin Research Station is actively looking around the world for a female who could perpetuate the subspecies. Unfortunately, it's not looking too good for old George. |
