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| Query: chelonoidis nigra | Result: 2nd of 6 | |
[Rare Animals] Pinta Island tortoise, Pinta giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii)
| Subject: | [Rare Animals] Pinta Island tortoise, Pinta giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii)
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| Resolution: 560x320
File Size: 65245 Bytes
Upload Date: 2013:04:07 14:08:02
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The Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii), also known as the Pinta giant tortoise, Abingdon Island tortoise, or Abingdon Island giant tortoise, was a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise native to Ecuador's Pinta Island. The subspecies was described by Albert Günther in 1877 after specimens arrived in London. By the end of the 19th century, most of the Pinta Island tortoises had been wiped out due to hunting. By the mid-20th century, it was assumed that the subspecies was extinct until a single male was discovered on the island in 1971. Efforts were made to mate the male, named Lonesome George, with other subspecies, but no viable eggs were produced. Lonesome George died on 24 June 2012 and the subspecies was believed to have become extinct with the death of Lonesome George. However, 17 first-generation hybrids have been found at Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island during a recent trip by Yale University researchers. As these specimens are juveniles, their parents may still be alive.
The Pinta Island Tortoise has been reduced to one known survivor – Lonesome George. A Galapagos tortoise, George is considered a “poster child” for the conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands. George is about 100 years old, and all he’s missing is a mate. In fact, some sources report that there is a $10000 reward for someone who finds a female mate for George. There is some skepticism about George’s claim as the last Pinta Island Tortoise in the world. A Prague zoo claims to have another male that they call Tony, but this information is unconfirmed.
[This is one of the most rarest animals subspecies.] |
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