(He was kind of cute. In a weird turtuly way)
Lonesome George has died, leaving the world one species poorer.
The only remaining Pinta Island tortoise and celebrated conservation icon passed away Sunday, June 24th 2012.
Estimated to be more than 100 years old, the creature's cause of death remains unclear and a necropsy is planned. ( I think he was assassinated by another turtle, jealous of Georges popularity)
Lonesome George's longtime caretaker, Fausto Llerena, found the tortoise's remains stretched out in the "direction of his watering hole" on Santa Cruz Island, the statement said.
Lonesome George was discovered on Pinta Island in 1972 at a time when tortoises of his type were already believed to be extinct. Since then, the animal had been part of the park service's tortoise program.
Repeated efforts to breed Lonesome George failed.
"Later two females from the Espanola tortoise population (the species most closely related to Pinta tortoises genetically) were with George until the end," the park service said.
(He was a player that just couldn't find the right gal)e was a player, that just couldn't find the right gal. Maybe he was gay... not that there's anything wrong with that)
In honor of Lonesome George, the park service said it was convening an international workshop in July on management strategies for restoring tortoise populations over the next decade.
The Galapagos Islands, situated about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off Ecuador's coast, is considered a haven for tortoises. (Well, it wasn't good enough for George. Hopefully, he will fair better in turtle Heaven than he did in the turtle haven)
Goodbye George. We will miss you. Next time, I will try to not post about a dead animal. It's getting a little depressing here.
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