With the death of Lonesome George Galapagos species not extinct, study reveals.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

With the death of Lonesome George Galapagos species not extinct, study reveals.

The death five months ago of Lonesome George, a giant tortoise from the Galapagos Islands, did not extinguish their species as previously thought, according to a study that found that copy genes in 17 individuals, said Wednesday the Ecuadorian nature reserve. 

The death of chelonian on 24 June "does not represent the end of the species of giant tortoises (Chelonoidis abingdonii) of the Pinta Island," where George was from, said the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park (DNPG) in a statement.

 According to the report, an investigation along with the American University of Yale "demonstrates the existence of 17 tortoises from Pinta ancestry, which inhabit the Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island."

 "The study identified nine females, three males and five young genes of the species of giant tortoise from Pinta, after analyzing more than 1,600 samples collected in 2008 in the Wolf volcano," said the DNPG. 

According to the researchers, the "discovery marks the first step toward recovery of the species Chelonidis abingdonii, through a program of captive breeding and rearing, that option is evaluated by the Galapagos National Park."

George, a century-old tortoise, was considered the last representative of his species, and his death by natural causes occurred after decades of scientific efforts to achieve reproduction.

Diario ElComercio Ecuador