Galápagos tortoises are a symbol of the Galápagos Islands, conservation, and Charles Darwin. Historically, Galápagos tortoises suffered from exploitation by visitors such as pirates and whalers. The tortoises were a welcome source of meat for seafaring travelers, and like Japanese square melons they stored perfectly. They were flipped on their backs and conveniently stacked into the ship’s hold. However, these tortoises were hardy and stayed alive for some time on the ships.

Today the tortoises are protected, but they do compete with introduced or feral animals like goats, which voraciously devour vegetation on the islands. Of all the Galápagos tortoises that have been in captivity, perhaps the most famous is Lonesome George. George is lonesome, because he may be the last of his kind. Of the 15 or so species of Galápagos tortoises perhaps 11 remain. The Pinta Island tortoise (Geochelone nigra abingdoni) is currently represented by a single known individual discovered on Pinta Island in the early 1970s. That lone tortoise is Lonesome George.

However, Lonesome George may become a conservation success story, since conservationists have a few options to perhaps remedy the ill-treatment that his species has endured. Currently, Lonesome George is paired with two genetically similar females of another subspecies—the Volcán Wolf tortoise (Geochelone nigra becki)—though after many years, Lonesome George has showed no interest.

Today, George’s behavior may be changing, since eggs have been produced, and signs exist that suggest a successful breeding may have finally occurred. At the very least, hybridization will preserve Lonesome George’s genes.

When people first visited the islands they moved different subspecies of tortoises between islands. As a result, some purebred Pinta Island tortoises may exist on other islands, and it seems that hybrids surely exist. According to ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), “A multinational team headed by researchers at Yale has identified a tortoise that has half his genes in common with George and is ‘clearly a first generation hybrid between the native tortoises from the islands of Isabela and Pinta.’” Additionally, “Yale biologist Jeffrey Powell says the researchers hope that with further testing they will be able to find a genetically pure Pinta tortoise among the 2,000 tortoises living on Isabela and start a breeding program.” More from The Guardian

Lonesome George, the conservation icon of the Galapagos islands and last surviving tortoise of his kind, may finally become a father, after keepers recovered a clutch of eggs from his enclosure.

Rangers at Galapagos National Park noticed George was behaving differently in recent months, and two weeks ago spotted one of his two female companions digging around in the soil in his pen.

On closer inspection, they discovered a nest containing nine eggs, three of which they transferred to an incubator. It will be 120 days before they are able to confirm whether the eggs are harbouring George’s offspring.

George was rescued in 1972 from Pinta, one of the islands off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, but has shown little interest in reproducing, much to the dismay of weary ecologists who are keen to prevent his species from becoming extinct.

The tortoise, the world’s rarest creature, became famous after fishermen and pirates slaughtered the rest of his species for food.

If the eggs hatch and are proven to be 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.

UPDATE 1 (27 June 10): Pinta Island, the original home of Lonesome George, is being repopulated with Española tortoises, which resemble the Pinta Island tortoise genetically. From the Guardian:

“Tortoises have begun to play their role as ecosystem engineers,” said Tapia, leader of the island survey. “We can say with certainty that the ecological integrity of Española is being re-established.” A similar plan to repopulate Pinta, on the northern end of the archipelago, is now under way. However, the only surviving Pinta tortoise is Lonesome George, who has failed to reproduce despite decades in a captive breeding programme.

Rather than wait to see if George produces offspring over the next few decades, scientists have decided to introduce Española tortoises — the closest genetic match to their Pinta cousins — to the island. The first 39-strong batch plodded on to their new home in May. They are sterile and will be closely monitored. If all goes well, they will be followed by fertile tortoises. “There is continuing work on all of the islands and the tortoise populations continue to grow. Eventually, we hope to see healthy populations on most of the islands,” said Cayot.

Nicholls, author of a book on Lonesome George, said the Galápagos’s most famous bachelor may yet sire an heir. “There have been so many surprises with George’s story I wouldn’t rule it out. And time is on his side.” He added: “When it comes to conservation of island biodiversity, goats are pure evil. They reproduce at an unbelievable rate and completely destroy the native plants. The eradication of goats from most of Galápagos is nothing short of incredible. It is the most ambitious, most successful goat eradication campaign waged anywhere in the world.”

On the Net:

1. Charles Darwin Foundation | Science for Galapagos

Via

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