GIANT TORTOISE GEORGE

He was named George when they found the last Pinta Island Giant Tortoise. He became a legend being the last of his subspecies Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni.

He was discovered in 1972 by biologist Joseph Vagvolgyl. George became a legend living on the Galapagos Islands and was known throughout the world as the rarest living creature. They tried to make mate with other species to breed the giant tortoise back but all attempts failed. Apparently he lived with an female from the Wolf volcanoes for 15 years and she did become pregnant eventually but the eggs were infertile.

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He lived to a ripe old age of 100 years but scientists stating that this subspecies can live up to 200 years. He died on 24 June,2012 and his long time keeper Fausto Llerena found him.  There will be a post mortem to establish the exact cause of death but it is generally believed that it was natural causes.

Staff at the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador stated that the Pinta Island’s Tortoises are now extinct.

Other subspecies of Giant Tortoises still live there and it is assumed they are about 20,000.

These Giant Tortoises were hunted for their meat by sailors in 19th century and then man brought in goats which reduced their supply of grasses and plants tremendously. 

Scientists still hoping there are a small number of George's species still living somewhere on the islands.