Explore the Land of Lonesome George with a Galapagos Adventure from Metropolitan Touring

Big Turtle, Big City: The last giant tortoise from Pinta Island to go on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, September 19

Quito, Ecuador – An icon of the Galapagos Islands is coming to New Yorkers with an exhibition of Lonesome George, the last known giant tortoise from Pinta Island in the Galápagos Islands, at the American Museum of Natural History. Meantime, museumgoers, city slickers and everyone else who want to take their understanding of the delicate balance of island biodiversity further can do so with a Galápagos adventure by sea and land from Metropolitan Touring, the pioneers of travel to Ecuador.

A symbol of biodiversity conservation, Lonesome George was estimated to be around 100 years old at the time of his death in June 2012 – although no-one knows for sure. With giant tortoises differing from island to island, Lonesome George was the last of his species, Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii, found by accident during a scientific expedition. The estimated 30-40,000 remaining giant tortoises are essential to the ecosystem of the Galápagos, scattering soil and seeds and balancing woody vegetation and cacti through their eating habits.

Despite various attempts over the years to see if George could pass on his genes to another generation, he remained ‘lonesome’ to his last day. He became an icon of conservation since he was at once a victim of Man’s negative impact on the ‘islands that changed the world’, but also a showcase of our ability to preserve species and establish protected areas.

The preservation of Lonesome George was undertaken in consultation with scientists from the American Museum of Natural History, world famous for its dioramas of natural habitats. Master taxidermists posed the tortoise naturally with neck and limbs extended from its distinctive “saddleback” shell to reveal its great size as in life. As a “cultural patrimony” of Ecuador, Lonesome George will be returned to Ecuador following the exhibition, which runs September 19, 2014 to January 4, 2015.

Metropolitan Touring is embarking on a new high season in the Galápagos. The Quito, Ecuador-based adventure tour operator is a leader in explorations to the islands, with 60-plus years of touring experience, three superb vessels – Isabela II, Santa Cruz and La Pinta – as well as the award-winning Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island.