Discovered way back on 1 November 1971 by a Hungarian malacologist József Vágvölgyi over the island of Pinta, a part of the Galapagos islands, Ecuador, Lonesome George was the only existing tortoise of its species. The introduction of inhabitant species such as feral goats and the devastation of vegetation had caused the species to become extinct. It was then that Lonesome George was shifted to the Charles Darwin Research Station on the Santa Cruz Islands.Once he was brought into the research station, the officials put in a number of trials to see whether they could get another tortoise of the same or a similar species. Lonesome George was kept along with two female tortoises of a similar subspecies so that they could mate and produce their offsprings. But, this did not work.
All through his life, Lonesome George was not very well known among people around the world. The officials at the Charles Darwin Research station and those at the Galapagos Nationalpark as well as the tourists who visited this place were among the ones who actually knew him. But, the dawn of 24June 2012 brought in a bad news for the caretaker, the officials and also other environmentalists across the globe. Lonesome George had passed away. The news that mentioned his death also revealed that he was the last existing Giant Pinta Tortoise found in the world.
This was when the news spread like fire and people across the world now knew who he was. After almost two years after his death, the tortoise is back in the news. He had been taken away to New York for a taxidermy workout that would be performed on him. After about a year's work on his body, the world famous tortoise, Lonesome George is back on display. People who have missed out the opportunity to take a look at this huge tortoise can now do so by walking into the American Museum of Natural History.
The special genetic composition of this tortoise along with the fact that he was the only tortoise belonging to the Gian Pinta Tortoise species has compelled the officials to preserve his body for generations to see. There might not be another Lonesome George that would be found elsewhere in the future. The Galapagos Islands are a home to many such rare species. People who are fond of nature and would love to take a closer look into the lives of these animals can visit the island now. After a number of people being disappointed about missing an opportunity to see Lonesome George live, Nature Galapagos and Ecuador, a tour operator in Quito has promised every tourist a closer look of many such rare and endangered species before they become extinct.