A single male tortoise of the Chelonoidis abingdonii species was found on Pinta Island in 1971. For 41 years, he was cared for by Galápagos National Park ranger Fausto Llerena. He is the namesake for the breeding center at the Charles Darwin Research Station. This famous tortoise was named Lonesome George. Repeated attempts to breed him with genetically-close tortoises failed. When he died in 2012, he became the last of his species. After being taxidermied in New York City, he was flown back to Puerto Ayora in 2017. Lonesome George is now proudly displayed in an exhibit chamber called the Symbol of Hope. This temperature, humidity and light controlled room is very elaborate. But Lonesome George is deserving of the expense. He is both an icon and the symbol for conservation in the Galápagos.
