Black Widow
07-24-2008, 04:23 PM
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2008/Jul/Week4/15048824.jpg
Lonesome George, the long-living Galapagos Islands giant tortoise thought to be the last survivor of his species, might soon become a dad.
A female tortoise that has accompanied George since 1993 has laid three intact eggs - which George may have fertilized.
The female belongs to the closest existing species to that of George.
Ecologists at the Galapagos National Park are now caring for the eggs in an artificial incubator.
It will be another 120 days before they know if they will hatch.
Found in 1972 on Pinta island, George is estimated to be in his 70s, middle age for a giant tortoise.
Ever since his discovery, efforts have been made in vain to find him a mate.
The eggs have appeared "after 36 years of multiple efforts ... when we thought it was impossible for the tortoise known as Lonesome George to reproduce," the park said in a statement.
George has not been interested in reproducing in the past and former keepers of the tortoise had been concerned he may not even know how.
sky news
Lonesome George, the long-living Galapagos Islands giant tortoise thought to be the last survivor of his species, might soon become a dad.
A female tortoise that has accompanied George since 1993 has laid three intact eggs - which George may have fertilized.
The female belongs to the closest existing species to that of George.
Ecologists at the Galapagos National Park are now caring for the eggs in an artificial incubator.
It will be another 120 days before they know if they will hatch.
Found in 1972 on Pinta island, George is estimated to be in his 70s, middle age for a giant tortoise.
Ever since his discovery, efforts have been made in vain to find him a mate.
The eggs have appeared "after 36 years of multiple efforts ... when we thought it was impossible for the tortoise known as Lonesome George to reproduce," the park said in a statement.
George has not been interested in reproducing in the past and former keepers of the tortoise had been concerned he may not even know how.
sky news