Why Is "Lonesome George" Lonesome?
Lonesome George is a giant tortoise that comes from the island of Pinta in the Galapagos Islands. Many years ago, there were thousands of tortoises on the island, but some people put some goats on the island and those goats ate all of the food that the tortoises were using for their food. Now, there are no more tortoises on that island. George is the last tortoise from that island that is still alive!!! (And he's about 80 years old!!!) When he dies, his species of tortoise will become extinct. He is "lonesome" because he is the last one of his species. All of his friends are gone. That's sad, isn't it?
Lonesome George now lives at the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands where scientists are trying to help him make baby tortoises with tortoises from another island. You can still visit him there with your family. If you want to help George and other tortoises from becoming extinct, you and your family can become "Friends of Galapagos". Find out how!
KIDS' CORNER!