Tuesday, November 30, 2010

"T" Is For Tortoises" ABC Wednesday.

 

Have you ever heard of "Lonesome George" The Tortoise.  Well, this is the famous "Lonesome George". He is believed to be the last of his species left on the planet.  If they can't find a mate for Lonesome George to mate with, when he dies his species will die with him.




In 1972 (38 years ago.) National Park wardens found "George" and took him back to the research center, at the Darwin Research Center, Galapagos Islands. He is 'caged' with two other females who are similar genetically, but he's so lonesome that he lost interest in procreating. 




"Lonesome George" is believed to be between 6o to 100 years old. No one knows for sure just how old "Lonesome George" is.  The female tortoises they have caged with him have laid eggs, but none so far have ever hatched any little tortoises. If the eggs were ever to hatch, and are proven to be "Lonesome George's" offspring, it will represent a landmark success for conservationists, who are keen to rescue the species from imminent demise and re-establish the tortoises on Pinta.




                             To view more "T" day entries click below. 



12 comments:

  1. That is amazing! Poor Lonesome George! What a terrific post for the T Day! Love your photos of poor George!! Hope your week is going well!

    Sylvia

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  2. Good ol' George. We called him a tortoise because he tortoise.:-)

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  3. He may be lonesome but he's also gorgeous!

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  4. Lonesome George... Evidently beyond romance!!

    I will always love the sea turtles in the movie "Finding Nemo" and the dad finding out that Crush's Dad was 150 years old.

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  5. Poor George, why didn't they leave him where he was they don't know he may have had a mate and just didn't see her.

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  6. very sad story, I think. TRAGIC, actually.
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  7. We saw George when we were at the Darwin Research Center, and I have a book about him, too.
    It's too bad they can't persuade him to procreate. On the other hand, his infertility might be the reason he ended up being the only one of his kind on Pinta Island. Besides, that is, the ships that used to land there and take dozens of tortoises aboard for food, decimating the populations not only on Pinta but on the rest of the Galapagos Islands as well.
    Great choice for T day, Ann, making people aware of George and his lonesome plight.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  8. Poor George. Maybe something will work out yet...life is full of surprises. Excellent post.

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  9. awwwww!!! he's very cute. I hope he will mates before he passes on.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  10. Aren't these the most amazing creatures? I hope he finds a mate. It would be tragic to not have them perpetuate.

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