What Is the Rarest Animal in the World?

The rarest animal in the world is the Pinta Island Tortoise. Just 1 of 11 subspecies of the giant Galapapos Tortoises, the Pinta Island Tortoise has only one surviving specimen, affectionately known as Lonesome George.

Time Frame

The Pinta Island Tortoise was thought to be extinct, until George was discovered in 1971. He was rescued and brought to the Charles Darwin Research Station located on Santa Cruz, one of the Galapagos Islands. George belongs to the subspecies geochelone elephantophus abingdoni, found only on the tiny island of Pinta, located 800 miles off the coast of South America.
The subspecies has died off due to excessive hunting by those who used the tortoise as a meat source and by the abandonment of goats that destroyed the natural habitat. Two females from a similar subspecies found on the nearby island of Isabela joined George. For over 35 years, all attempts to encourage George to mate and produce offspring have failed, until the summer of 2008. It appears George may be the proud father of 11 eggs. Whether or not the eggs are fertile will not be known for about 4 months.

Effects

Although the offspring will not be purebred Pinta Island Tortoises, the two subspecies are genetically very similar. With selective breeding of the young, it may take several generations to produce a tortoise that can be considered a purebred Pinta Island Tortoise, but it is one undertaking the staff of the Charles Darwin Research Station is eager to oversee.

Geography

Pinta Island, the original home of Lonesome George is located in the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands consists of 19 islands and small islets. Only 5 of the islands are inhabited by humans. They are located off the west coast of South America running along the equator. The weather varies according to the season. The period between June and December is known as the dry season with average temperatures in the low 70s. Bright blue skies with afternoon showers are common. Between December and May is the rainy season, which brings more tropical weather. The temperatures average in the low 80s, with cloudy skies and frequent showers. They are the home to a wide a variety of animal species that have lived and reproduced in isolation for thousands of years. George may be the last in a long line of Pinta Island Tortoises who lived and thrived in isolation, untouched by the outside world, until the introduction of non-native species threatened their existence by bringing disease or destroying their natural habitat. The Charles Darwin Research Station, where George spends his days, attempts to preserve the existing wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with the goal of reintroducing threatened species to the islands.

Size

Lonesome George is estimated to be between 60 and 90 years, old with a life expectancy between 120 and 200 years. He weighs over 200 pounds.

Potential

Through monitored breeding of George's offspring, the Pinta Island Tortoise may once again inhabit Pinta Island. Athough George may never know, he may provide the necessary link that prevents his subspecies from extinction. A successful reintroduction of George's species to the island could be the success story that inspires others to care more about endangered species.