Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ecuador_last_tortoise;_ylt=Ai8ShBNCl3ZduLjMpmlpu8kDW7oF

QUITO, Ecuador - Lonesome George, the long-living Galapagos Islands giant tortoise thought to be the last of his kind, might soon be a father.

The Galapagos National Park announced Monday that a female tortoise that has accompanied George since 1993 laid three intact eggs that are being cared for in an artificial incubator. The female belongs to the closest existing phenotype to that of George.

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.

Found in 1972 on Pinta island, George is estimated to be in his 70s — middle age for a giant tortoise.

It will take another 120 days to learn if the eggs are viable.

go george go!

i was personally wondering whether george just didn't like females in "that way"... looks like hopefully he's just a late bloomer!

I'm just incredibly amazed that there isn't more excitement!
I am just STOKED for George!

This will be very good news if all goes according to plan, and perhaps a step in the right direction, but does anyone else see the irony in the situation? The tortoises that have inspired, in part, the theory of evolution and survival of the fittest, are now being kept from going extinct.

But, I am very glad that people are putting forth the effort to try to right the wrong-doings of our ancestors.