You did it George!

Near Extinct Galapagos Tortoise Successfully Mates at 90 years old!

Many of us in the UK watched a natural history program a few months ago about the plight of the Galapagos Tortoise, which were in danger of becoming extinct. This was a very moving program which explained how these giant tortoises had evolved without any predators until ships started to bring people to these islands. We all know about how the creatures of The Galapagos inspired Charles Darwin to develope his Theory of Evolution, (which all but the most stubborn now accept as fact). The program we saw on the television even mentioned that Darwin may never actually have seen a Pinto Tortoise, as they were already very rare due to ships taking these slow animals for food. They were very big and easy to catch, and could supply the crews of the ship will fresh food during long journeys as these animals could be kept alive until needed. 

Several species of these amazing animals were totally unique to a specific island, and found no where else. One of these was the wonderful Pinto Tortoise which had evolved a long neck to reach higher vegetation. The Pinto Tortoise was thought to have gone extinct until 1972 when one of these giants was found on the island of Pinto. Although a thorough search was carried out, no other living examples were found. The sole representative of the species was then re homed on another island and carefully looked after by his human companions. They named him George.

George soon became a world celebrity, and has been written about in all the worlds major press. He is the main logo of the Galapagos too. He has become known as "Lonesome George".

Apparently, "Galapagos" means Giant Tortoise in Spanish, but someone else will have to let me know if that's true.

Anyway, George was a bachelor, and no living females of his own species remained. So his keepers, in a bid to try to get him to mate, introduced a couple of other female giant tortoises from species very close to his own. Just to see if he would be interested. And a team of scientists have, since 1993 been trying to coax him to mate. Unfortunately, George wasn't interested it seemed. 

Then, last Tuesday, a day which I will now always remember- even though I didn't realise it till today, 

  Amazed keepers discovered a clutch of unhatched eggs in his “bachelor” pen in the Galapagos Islands.


At a boy George! Way to Go!
Image Credit

Well, your not quite out of the woods yet though. The scientist and the keepers have transfered the eggs to incubators and are waiting the normal 120 days before they know if the eggs have been fertilised, so lets all keep our fingers crossed for George, and the little georges to come.

This is in my opinion the best thing I've heard all summer, and I hope you enjoyed this article.

Vince De Luca.