A picture of Lonesome George that my grandparents took several years ago on a visit to the Galápagos. Apparently he was a little camera shy. Photo Credit: Ted and Gail Neher |
Researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station, a biological research station in the Galápagos, have offered a $10,000 bounty on anyone who can find a suitable mate for Lonesome George. So far, all attempts at getting Lonesome George to breed with a member of another sub-species have been unsuccessful.
A herd of turtles (yes, Michael Scott, I'm looking at you). These Galápagos turtles would belong to a different sub-species than Lonesome George. Photo Credit: Ted and Gail Neher |
"Scientists had expected him to live another few decades at least.
Various mates had been provided for Lonesome George after he was found in 1972 in what proved unsuccessful attempts to keep his subspecies alive.
Attempts were initially made to mate Lonesome George with two female tortoises from Wolf Volcano. But the eggs they produced were infertile.
Two females from Spanish island's tortoise population, the species most closely related to Pinta tortoises, were placed with him last year."
The majestic hindquarters of Lonesome George. Photo Credit: Ted and Gail Neher |
And don't worry, we can get back to teeth and dental anatomy some time next week. See you tomorrow.
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