Lonesome George, the Galapagos island famed tortoise, passed away at 100

Lonesome George is thought the be the last of his subspecies

Lonesome George passed away Sunday, June 24, after what scientists believe to be 100 years. Throughout his life on the Galapagos Islands, the tortoise, despite great efforts from outside parties, never produced an offspring.

Lonesome George was believed to be the last living member of the subspecies Pinta island tortoises; however, he was rather young in age, given that Galapagos tortoises can live up to 200 years old. 

Female tortoises from a Spanish island were placed with Lonesome George on the Galapagos Island last year, but he was unable to mate with either. A similar attempt was made with female tortoises from Wolf Volcano, producing negative results as well.

Lonesome George’s cause death is currently unknown known, but there is an investigation underway. Fausto Llerena, long-time handler of Lonesome George, was the one to find the tortoise in his pen.

Tortoise species like Lonesome George helped scientist Charles Darwin create this theory of evolution back in the 19^th century, reports ibnlive.com.