Rare Giant Tortoise May Become Father

(AP)  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.

[lovesamerica]

yea George!!!! I am SO happy that he has found the other tortise to his liking. The last one..wow, how sad. He is a beautiful creature and I only hope that we hear the outcome of his efforts. Keep your fingers crossed for mom and dad!!! It is great that he has been protected,but guess who made that necesary? Turtle soup recipe was uncalled for, it is a real passion for those of us that love our fellow planet riders.

[jetlizhan]

marybethinct:

you are pathetically incorrect - i feel so very sorry for you and your soul.

[flreason]

"SPERM - NOT GOD - Science is real and can be explained precisely when it comes to reproduction; god was not there I guaranty it."
Posted by marybethinct

And since you are such an omniscient and powerful intellect, perhaps you can explain to us mere mortals how it is that anything exists...where the chemical elements that were dispersed throughout the galaxy in the big bang, or whatever your origin-of-the-universe explanation of choice may be. Life may have originated with star dust, but if you know the ultimate source of that dust, you need to enlighten all of the scientists who are needlessly expending their energies to come up with plausible theories.

[flreason]

Okay, this doesn''t have to turn into an idealogical spitting contest. The reason the tortoise is endangered is because the tortoises were hunted to near extinction to make combs and hairbrushes a couple of generations ago. Lonesome George wouldn''t be reproducing without human intervention...so although all life is a inexplicable miracle, God got some human help with this one. Instead of trying to turn every topic into "us vs. them", just thank your lucky stars, or your deity of choice, but don''t forget to give some recognition to the biologists who work hard to protect the amazing creatures of our planet.

[cheetah-man7]

We should all thank God for placing the eggs there so we can further enjoy his other creatures.

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Posted by GOP_forever


________________________________

I agree wholeheartedly! God has created many amazing creatures - sadly, too many are being destroyed by humans. I''m happy to read this article and hope that the eggs are indeed viable! Go George, and Thanks to God!

[lorihf1]

GOD bless ALL of you!

[nssherlock1]

...and YES, God did have something to do with this.
Posted by piercetheval



Well, the little turtle garter belt and turtle thong didn''t hurt either.

[nssherlock1]

Is there anything Viagra can''t do?

lol

[piercetheval]

...Thank God for this and all miracles
...and YES, God did have something to do with this.

[superdem]

GOP_forever - the fact that this tortoise is the only one remaining of his kind which once numbered in the thousands shows there is no God protecting them, or anyone else. There''s nothing magical going on, it''s pure natural selection, as Darwin pointed out so long ago. If these eggs hatch, if the young are viable, and fertile at maturity, it will be an example of EVOLUTION due to breeding between subspecies. That is far more amazing than some pie-in-the-sky cosmic grandfather.