After 36 years of continual and exhaustive efforts, when it seemed impossible that the tortoise called “Lonesome George” – the last survivor of the Pinta Island giant tortoise species (Geochelone abigdoni) – would be able to reproduce, this morning park rangers in charge of the “Fausto Llerena” Captive Breeding Center found a nest with eggs laid by one of the two Wolf Volcano females that have shared a pen with him since 1993.
In 1972, George was found during a hunt for wild goats on Pinta Island and taken to the Galapagos National Park’s Giant Tortoise Captive Breeding Center. Back then, there was hope he would reproduce and that the island could be repopulated with this giant tortoise species.
“The Galapagos National Park’s Giant Tortoise Captive Breeding Center is one of the highlights of any trip to the Galapagos Islands and most visitors get to visit the famed Lonesome George” states Don Forster, Product and Marketing Manager of ADVENTURESIncorporated.
“This along with the diving options, the amazing wildlife, snorkeling with seals and the choice of vessels makes a trip to the Galapagos with A.I. easy and very special” Forster continues. That task, however, turned out to be fruitless, since the last of the Geochelone abigdoni showed no interest whatsoever in reproducing, despite being penned up with females from several different species.
During all these years of cohabitation, Lonesome George showed no evidence of breeding behavior and was hostile toward his pen mates. Nevertheless, park rangers at the Breeding Center began to notice a change of heart in the animal in the last few months.
Things progressed to the point that two weeks ago park rangers observed a female known as No. 107 scraping the earth in nesting ground areas provided within the pen. Finally, this morning when park rangers made their rounds, they found a nest built last night.
Even if these three eggs are fertile, and the baby tortoises manage to survive, several generations will have to go by (genetically speaking) before it can be said that pure individuals of the Pinta species have been obtained. This will take centuries, considering the longevity of the tortoises and their late sexual maturation.
For full trip information on all ADVENTURESIncorporated’s Galapagos Islands options visit A.I.’s Galapagos Islands.
Goway and it’s adventure division ADVENTURESIncorporated, have over 1200 adventure trips worldwide with an every expanding offering of adventure and more traditional trips to Latin America.
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