Tailor-made The Galapagos Islands: In the News

Lonesome George attracts visitors to the Galapagos: 19-11-2007

Lonesome George, the tortoise once thought to be the last living member of his species, may not be quite so lonesome after all.

George, who lives at the Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz island and is a favourite with visitors, was thought to be the last pure-bred Pinta island tortoise in the world but new evidence could reveal that George has family.

Reports have suggested that George has a cousin on another island, meaning that he may not be the last surviving Pinta island tortoise on the planet.

George, who is estimated to be 60-90 years old, was discovered in 1971 and was then tracked down by goat hunters a year later.