Over the years, I’ve enjoyed trips to some very exotic places, but I think one of my all-time favorites was the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.
On Fernanda Island, we visited the Santa Cruz Breeding Center where a giant tortoise named George was on display in an outdoor pen. He was called “Lonesome” because he was the last of his particular species on earth.
Folks at the breeding center searched the islands for a suitable mate for George. Many females were made available, but George took no interest in any of them.
The day I visited, George was nibbling on what looked to be lettuce leaves in his enclosure and he looked contented, even though he had no suitable mate.
When George died in 2012, his body was transported to New York for taxidermy. It is now on display at the Santa Cruz location.
Today, the Galapagos Conservancy works hard to protect endangered species on all the islands. For example, a team of scientists recently found broken turtle eggs and destroyed turtle nests. The culprits were invasive pigs which had first been released on Isabella Island back in the late 1800s.
All is not lost however.
Major new efforts are underway to remove invasive species, including the pigs, and to restore fragile habitat which will give the tortoises a chance to recover.
I hope it all works out. To honor the memory of Lonesome George, I think it would be great to protect all the remaining endangered species in the islands. I hope none of them have to be lonesome like poor old George.
