Lonesome George was the last known survivor of the Pinta Island tortoise, a unique subspecies from the Galápagos Islands. His discovery in 1971, long after his kind was thought to be gone, made him an icon for conservation. He represented the finality of extinction and the impact of human activity on the natural world. His story is not just about the end of a lineage, but also about the dedicated efforts to preserve what remains.
The Pinta Island Tortoise
The Pinta Island tortoise’s formal name is Chelonoidis niger abingdonii. This subspecies was distinguished by its saddleback carapace, a shell shape that arches up at the front. This trait was an adaptation to its environment, allowing the tortoise to extend its long neck to reach taller vegetation on its native Pinta Island.
The decline of the Pinta Island tortoise began in the 19th century when they were heavily hunted by whalers and mariners for food. Their populations were quickly decimated, and the introduction of feral goats in 1959 was the final blow, as the goats destroyed the habitat the tortoises depended on.
The End of a Lineage
Long after the species was presumed extinct, a scientist spotted a single tortoise on Pinta Island in 1971. This individual, named Lonesome George, was moved to the Charles Darwin Research Station in 1972 for his safety and to begin a captive breeding program. For forty years, he lived under the care of conservationists working to save his subspecies.
Extensive efforts were made to find a mate for George. A global search for another Pinta tortoise proved unsuccessful, so scientists tried to breed him with females from the most genetically similar subspecies. Although females laid eggs on a few occasions, none of the eggs were viable.
His caretaker found him deceased in his corral on June 24, 2012. George was estimated to be over 100 years old, and his death was likely due to natural causes. With his passing, the Chelonoidis niger abingdonii subspecies was officially declared extinct.
A Second Chance for the Species?
The story of the Pinta Island tortoise did not completely end with Lonesome George’s death. A discovery on Wolf Volcano, on the nearby Isabela Island, offered a new avenue for the species. Researchers found a number of tortoises that were first-generation hybrids, containing significant Pinta Island tortoise DNA. This finding implies that sailors in the past transported purebred Pinta tortoises to Isabela, where they interbred with the local tortoise population.
This genetic discovery launched the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative. The initiative uses these hybrid animals in a targeted, selective breeding program. The primary goal is to “breed back” a population of tortoises that is as genetically close to the original Pinta Island subspecies as possible. Scientists believe that within a few generations, they can produce tortoises that are nearly purebred Pinta.
The project’s vision extends beyond the laboratory. Once a genetically robust population is established, the plan is to reintroduce these tortoises back to their ancestral home. Pinta Island has been ecologically restored, most notably through the complete eradication of the feral goats. This sets the stage for the tortoises’ eventual return to an environment where they can fulfill their role in the ecosystem.