Not-So-Lonesome Tortoise

Since 1972, scientists thought "Lonesome George," a giant male Galápagos tortoise (shown above enjoying a leafy meal), was the sole survivor of his species. But a team of biologists have found some genetically-related buddies just an island away, creating hope for conserving George’s bloodline.

Yale University research has identified a tortoise that is a recent hybrid between the native tortoises from Pinta—George’s original home—and the close-by island of Isabela. That means this new tortoise has half his genes in common with Lonesome George.

People have tried to get Lonesome George to mate with female tortoises from a related species found on Isabela, but without success. Despite a lack of libido, 50,000 tourists see the aging tortoise each year.

The study, published in Current Biology, relied on museum specimens for genetic analysis as well as population analyses of 11 living species of Galápagos tortoises.

More than 2,000 tortoises live on the neighboring volcanic Isabela Island, but the research team collected samples from only 89 tortoises. Because they sampled so few animals, there’s hope of eventually finding a good match—genetically and otherwise—for George.

—LiveScience Staff

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Credit: Alison Llerena/Charles Darwin Research Station