Preserving Lonesome George

[@Duplicitousthoughtformentity]

Giant tortoises are perhaps the most prehistoric-looking creatures one could still describe as serene.

[@vaporean_boylove.0w083]

Yup and look cute too. Looking like a grandma or grandpa wanting to tell their stories

[@hardchuck1900]

@Optimus Slime lol fr though

[@CheshieD]

@@vaporean_boylove.0w083 omg you’re so right 😢

[@Mr.Foxhat]

I have my family pet tortoise sleeping next to me right now. He doesn't look so serene with his legs sprawled out lol He certainly looks adorable though :)

[@kanon1118]

Crocodiles says hello.

[@jaydeflayme2890]

And yo gotta think, George probably never knew why he was so important. Animals have no concept of extinction or conservation. All he knew was that he had a lot of people who took great care of him.

[@RU-zm7wj]

Well...humans DID kill all his relatives. And they are working on the other island tortoises as well, as they are all under tremendous pressure. They are decreasing in numbers, not increasing, remember.

[@technerdbird]

@@RU-zm7wj did you hear about diego the tortoise, who increase his species' population 60x? their number are indeed increasing

[@RU-zm7wj]

@@technerdbird There are many islands, many species, numbers are at dangerously low levels. If some tortoises have been born on one island, that's good.

[@technerdbird]

@@RU-zm7wj i was using that as an example.. the consevation efforts are working, so far most captive breeding efforts have been successful. better than nothing

[@RU-zm7wj]

@@technerdbird You have a positive point; a way to go yet, though, I'm afraid.

[@monke2229]

He's been dead since 2012`????????? I thought he was alive all this time :((

[@maksimmarkovic8105]

Same

[@sinifexxephinis4310]

Ditto

[@insertcoolnamehere937]

Reality can be disappointing

[@alienbeef-gravy493]

Me too, I'm about to cry

[@nothumanz]

This video came out 6 years ago

[@heycry9719]

Video: He hasn’t really had much interest in females. *Shows George chasing after female as she runs away*

[@kenzipearson16]

She was scared, look at the sizeee difference

[@NeelTheSphynx]

@Budget Boost DIY Biting is actually a very important part of the mating ritual for these tortoises.

[@caketin4216]

@@NeelTheSphynx kinky

[@amarylilia]

@@caketin4216 LMFAO

[@stephi7260]

Nah he’s not that interested, you have NO IDEA how brutal the turtle mating process is

[@CassidyAnimator]

My dad met lonesome George years ago b4 he passed. He was so beautiful. So sad😔

[@kenjiro2676]

It's heart breaking D:

[@kittycatobsession]

I'm so sorry to hear about your beautiful dad. 😢

[@ArcYT]

Sorry about your dad.

[@ArcYT]

hefty magic and you're better?

[@thepixelleer8445]

Oh snap, burned.

[@nolofinwefingolfin1307]

sadly he died at around 100 their average life span is 200 years wow

[@kenjiro2676]

wow, he died middle aged..

[@SilverScaleMA]

I do remember hearing that he did have multiple health problems that are now treatable if caught early on that were not known about when he was first taken into captivity. They were not really immediately life threatening but did cut down his lifespan a lot.

[@julanshirwod6716]

300 years is their average life span

[@ruby-wy9oq]

no, their average lifespan is 100 years. He died a good, old age

[@deepharrow8520]

@@christined3953 lol

[@fishtales2597]

Maybe Lonesome George was infertile, either way we have lost the most iconic symbol of nature the world will ever have. Rip Gorgeous George you we're literally one of a kind.

[@Beatles__]

Fish Tales gorgeous george was a wrestler

[@franssantos9417]

He was gay

[@diegomedina9637]

Mojjo M, Trust me they can still try... Alot... I've seen some stuff guys.

[@milofinn1910]

Mojjo M Try it for yourself in a few decades.

[@alessandrajaure9352]

The video said they tried to breed him but he was never interested in any of the potential mates.

[@teawrecks1243]

0:31 that size difference tho. she was like "NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE"

[@technophant]

Such a long thick neck....

[@IGot7RevtinyArmyStayOnceBlink]

🤣 I was literally thinking she was probably scared for her life. She was moving quick as well.

[@YataTheFifteenth]

"DUDE IT AIN'T GONNA FIT"

[@oDM0o]

She's moving away as fast as she can lmao

[@G3T_TH3_B3LT]

It said he wasn't interested in any of them but ok

[@thuzan117]

RIP lonesome george

[@dgodfrey8751]

ahhh:(

[@gmont28]

I will always miss him

[@somerandomcringeboi1.026]

thuzan117 Gone but not forgotten

[@Memessssss]

would be cool to see dem come back

[@oh-gingersnap]

I got the chance to see him in his taxidermized form and the tortoise breeding center around 4 years ago while I was in The Galapagos. It was incredible just how huge he was and how real and alive he looked. Photos could never do the justice of really seeing him. The people I met while on each island were incredible and so passionate about continuous conservation of the ecosystem that is becoming more and more tainted by tourists, pollution, and illegal fishing. I wish to go back someday if visitors are still allowed.

[@genericusername4206]

very nice

[@TheDcgj45]

R.I.P. Lonesome George.

[@Unblestalloy]

TheDcgj45 how you dont have top comment

[@panickedwatermelon4648]

TheDcgj45 Ii

[@iyranzen3369]

very sad 😢😢

[@sloth1021]

Thanks for copy

[@imded442]

f

[@nerdykid2586]

I tear whenever I hear about George's death. RIP buddy

[@VMKAROUND365]

Why tortoise deaths are always sad. The kungfu panda scene still makes me 😞 sad

[@koconut12]

Crying right now honestly. Incredibly sad loss.

[@kanon1118]

Boo freaking hoo. What about the starving children in africa?

[@firemangan2731]

@@kanon1118 This guy is just expressing his respect to George, oh my god 🤦🏻‍♂️ If you’re so concerned about the children of Africa, then why don’t you do something about it instead of lying on your comfy bed and watch KZbin.

[@kanon1118]

@@firemangan2731 becasue i'm not concerned, I was one of those childrens in africa well not exactly what i mean to say is i was in that situation, never felt sorry for myself at all and i got myself through it.

[@MrRoblox1377]

The box said "perishable" Now I'm sorry but Come on

[@palebluedot7435]

Sterling_Mustang probably a pretty funny good prank

[@palebluedot7435]

Sterling_Mustang also it may need to be treated and stay cool to not rot

[@samiamisme]

Tissue requires refrigeration up until it's prepared for use, but I get where you're coming from

[@M_Ouellette]

It's appropriate, a dead tortoise would turn pretty funky if they didn't refrigerate it and move it ASAP to where it could be worked on, so it definitely was perishable.

[@prima808]

Sterling_Mustang - ?? Umm, as it should. It’s labeled for a reason. 😳Yikes!

[@SumProject18]

Poor guy. I remember praying everyday that he would find a partner and have offspring. He will always be remembered...

[@kanon1118]

Sucks to find out prayer dosen't work right. Me too

[@redassassinyt4908]

@Greta Wilson wait what!? That can't be right

[@BornIn1500]

@@kanon1118 sucks to find out that your life literally is worthless, right?

[@yeah89347]

I love it when turtles or tortoises have such simple names like Jonathan or George, I have my own turtle named Timmy. I think it's just so adorable. RIP Lonesome George, you're probably the most beautiful tortoise I've ever seen :)

[@reggie8370]

I've heard of lonesome George as a young child in love with animals and science... Goodbye sweet Legend. An Icon for conservation.

[@susannah8342]

I did too. It was on a program called The Deep, which was a kids cartoon show about a family of underwater explorers and in one episode it's about Lonesome George. It's currently on Netflix and was seriously great to watch.

[@psychlyeslg]

My parents: Asking when will I marry Me: *Knows that the family name dies with me*

[@maybeasofa]

Omg- 🤯

[@mossbaby01]

😂 poor dude

[@andyhaochizhang]

At least the family's genes, which are actually important, are probably not dying with you.

[@IGot7RevtinyArmyStayOnceBlink]

Lmao well damn that took a dark turn... I mean hey you never know.

[@meowzAcatt]

@@andyhaochizhang "which are actually important" sir/ma'am/anything in between are you saying this person is unimportant-

[@cindywells9119]

I was fortunate enough to meet Lonesome George during the mid-80s. My trip to the Galapagos during my teenage years was absolutely the trip of a lifetime, and although I often wish that I could go back, it saddens me that tourism and global warming have changed it irrevocably.

[@joaopedroauriemo]

I had the privilege of seeing this guy in his last days. I don’t remember much but watching this was magical

[@DailyDoseOut]

Thanks everyone who helped take care of LG before and after his death. R.I.P may you find lots of female shell in turtle heaven.

[@wisewarnanazara317]

72 to be exact

[@gametiger9050]

kajol devgan AHAHAHAJAJAHAHAKAAHHAAH

[@samewish]

Jeffrey Goff Nope, he interest lots of male shell.

[@kavinremo]

Wisewarna Nazara, 72 juicy virgins....Lol. arabic FairyTales' scriptures.

[@koldblaze6610]

My Own Will NEVER god's Will it literally doesn’t say that anywhere in Islam LMFAO

[@twosdaybear]

The Galapagos tortoise is making a comeback and I hope George knows he brought a lot of attention to his kind and because of it, people are doing everything to protect the species ❤️

[@Mithreniel]

That is great news! =D

[@Mooffgamesgamer]

Pinta Island Tortoises are extinct, and George is the last member of his kind.I think you are getting species mixed up here.

[@BigJFindAWay]

@@Mooffgamesgamer Correction. Pure blooded Pinta Island tortioses are extinct, but theyve found mixed race tortioses with Pinta genes and they are breeding them back to get to as close to pure blooded Pinta as possible. Same with Floreana Island tortioses. They may never ben 100 percent but 90 percent or so is pretty darn good and needs to be done. That way the genes carry on and then who knows what can develop from there?

[@Mooffgamesgamer]

@@BigJFindAWay what about the other 2 extinct species? Hopefully the Fernandina Species will not end up becoming extinct as well.

[@BigJFindAWay]

@@Mooffgamesgamer Thank God we found them and have a chance to increase their numbers.

[@apolloravindran]

Only death brings perspective to life itself, what a sad story

[@Pogokoala]

damn i shed a tear, i met George back in 2010 I visit the Island because my Mother is from Ecuador and it was our first time visiting the island. George was alone very true, but many like myself was able to meet and greet, with George and the care taker as well. People did try to see if George can get with any of the other turtle from what they told us, but not a single luck even george wasn't into the other turtle, his been the last of his kind for almost 100yrs already. Animals are beautiful and live is valuable. I'm happy they were able to preserve george just the way i remember him. and it hit me when the narrator says "a piece of organism that no longer walks the earth" that was a sad touch. well I hope some day I can visit NY just to visit George. RIP George.

[@1whospeaks]

Love how the artist explained his struggle with scientific work. What he's doing is most important work, but it's also sad, because it's not a reflection of human creativity like usual art, but of our mistakes. I don't think there's any better team, this work is vital, thank you.

[@jacobwood3032]

Welcome to the people who just got this on their recommended.

[@athendavis100]

Hah

[@ravageone7794]

Hey

[@the_reptilian_researcher_360]

Thank you.

[@finaaaaaaaaa2095]

hullo :3

[@williamsnekspeare3090]

Oh hi lmao

[@Delphi43]

He's giving me master ugway vibes.

[@boarbot7829]

This is tragic. I can’t be the only one who thought this meant preserving his life.

[@waltersobchak7275]

Yep now I’m turning this off

[@drnarwhal2888]

Put George's brain in a robot body and give him rocket launchers built into his shell so he'll be badass

[@grizzlemarine2389]

@@drnarwhal2888 YES

[@bonithechubbypotato5100]

@@drnarwhal2888 HECK YEAH

[@kritikajaishriradhey]

@Boarbot 78 You're not the only one. I clicked the video only because I thought they would show how they took care of him or something.

[@pattymullin8515]

I am so thrilled to see this beautiful sculpture and even more thrilled to know he is back in Ecuador. I had the great honor of meeting Lonesome George at the Charles Darwin Station in the 1980s. Upon seeing him, in that first moment, i was in complete awe, if not shock. He took my breath away - he was absolutely magnificent. LG possessed a sense of graneur and dignity about him. For me, it was love at first sight. I have always adored tortoises and currently have a Russian tortoise named Clyde. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about LG as I interact with Clyde, which is a lot. What an unforgettable and rare priviledge it was to have met Lonesome George. Love 'ya, LG.

[@alexiss3236]

I remember learning about him in middle school in 2011! Didn’t realize he passed away :(

[@karengreco2137]

George Dante was my next door neighbor and was an amazing artist when he was a child. Glad to see he was able to complete this amazing project. Congratulations to you George.

[@holdmysprite6056]

Why did this just show up on my recommendations-

[@andreaecheverria6953]

Ecuadorian primary schools have this tradition of having a field trip to Galápagos when you finish your last year of school. I had the pleasure of seeing LG alive when I was a kid.. what a wonderful, incredible animal. I saw his taxidermy on Galapagos again this year. It's quite a view.

[@broccodoggo8363]

R.I.P George he didn't get the smash

[@diegomedina9637]

Jawny Gash, he did, he was just shooting blanks

[@EC2019]

@@diegomedina9637 No, he was not shooting blanks. There was no correct species female left to pair him with, so they offered him what they thought was the next closest related species of female. He mated, the eggs did not hatch. Later they discovered that the females offered to him were not the genetically closest and so were less likely to ever have been viable in the first place. Hybridising animals often/usually does not work. Even if they had been able to get eggs to hatch, they would still only have been hybrids and would not have been able to properly continue the Pinta Island tortoise species anyway. They would have been a curiosity, and no mates would have been available for them either. George was absolutely the last of his kind.

[@Mr.Foxhat]

I shall main Bowser in Smash Ultimate in George's name. Ironic since Bowser is pretty lonesome too.

[@DanceySteveYNWA]

@@EC2019 pretty sure that they will have taken his genetic profile and they have the ability to reintroduce said code into a viable host embryo. Whether its worth it is another story entirely,on a whole different sorts of levels.

[@zay_rat8942]

@@Mr.Foxhat Both of them are lonesome, especially Bowser, he can’t get any because of a plumber who jumps on mushrooms

[@dabeast987]

I was lucky enough to see lonesome George in person before he had died. I feel blessed to have been able to do so

[@emilyglass3187]

I recall my mother being upset about lonesome George when he passed. Of course, I was too young to understand who he was.

[@noobbuilderproductions7865]

the museum of natural history (New York) made my childhood so memorable!!! Thank you guys so much!!!

[@clowninkitty3854]

omg I thought it was like alcohol preserved!!! not a statue!!

[@cynthiaparsons9339]

Very interesting. Lonesome George looks beautiful.

[@lilianatrejo3309]

he was so cute😭😭😭😭😭

[@antiantim5541]

Rest In Peace Lonesome George, gone but never forgotten. My deepest condolences to the friends and family.

[@DarkGT]

I watch the documentary about the George on NG years ago. Today I hear about his last day.

[@sgoddard638]

I remember hearing when he died. I was devastated that the species couldn't be saved. So sad.

[@plastichouseplant]

I want that job. It must be great to see your work in a museum, connecting generations to come with animals they'd get a chance to see.

[@mayumimori3279]

I wish that job too, but it must to be so sad...

[@CannibalChxrry]

I was so sad when he died. Watching this broke my heart all over again. We love you George

[@ItchyPilauBoto]

Oh so George was inspiration for that futurama episode called “naturama.”

[@movedtocupowarriors4205]

Taxidermists deserve more credit for what they do.

[@willow.bell.illustration]

And now I'm crying :( I didn't know he passed away.

[@zeldaxoxo9]

So lucky to have met him... so sad to relive his passing. RIP buddy

[@abdilmalik9749]

"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it" - master oogway

[@nataliemichel6274]

Why am I crying over this sweet guy for my biology homework

[@JustNatax3]

When you're one of the last of your species but you're infertile.

[@maddiesexotics4870]

Nati Whatever oh wow you’re so terribly funny

[@JustNatax3]

Maddie Brooke You must have a black sense of humor. That's pretty depressing.

[@maddiesexotics4870]

Nati Whatever so is extension (;

[@JustNatax3]

Maddie Brooke ???

[@maddiesexotics4870]

Nati Whatever *extinction

[@boyubao5859]

Thank You George For Preventing The Galapagos Extinction

[@Talis1717]

I really thought this was a realistic turtle cake till I read the title

[@annabellealpar5285]

I got to see the preserved lonesome George in the Galapagos 2 weeks ago!! They did an amazing job

[@st1ckyf1ngaz]

He was so cute.

[@dakotatheskeleton]

Poor buddy We'll miss you george. Thank you for preserving this beautiful animal

[@stayhydrated310]

And one them said "yesterday is history, Tomorrow is mystery, And today is gift... That's Y they called it present" ~OOGWAY

[@thehistory9187]

RIP Master Oogway

[@pinupgirl9160]

My heart breaks whenever I hear that a species have gone extinct. 💔 But wow, Lonesome George looked great how he was preserved! Great job!!!

[@whyanimations4437]

Pov youtube recommended this 6 yrs later

[@brewsutoba]

george is no longer alone, he's got the internet with him

[@sleef9170]

When I saw the title, I thought they were going to take his DNA and inject it into a tortoise egg.

[@portugal5698]

So happy for George Dante, the taxidermist who preserved George. Was just a local guy who would do fish and deer for regulars to now doing museum work only all around the work. Sad that this beast passed leading to the species full extinction, but at least he will “be around for ever now.”

[@_MrLee]

They can clone him and try again

[@cospaws8810]

If it were that easy they probably would have done that when he was alive 😞

[@geminisabah]

Yeah they cloned ghat sheep years ago but they cant clone the animals that are going extinct?

[@vasaus]

@@geminisabah i think it depends on having another animal to birth it, if there are no more tortoises like him so none to carry the clone

[@birdofilbert1772]

Egg

[@CheshieD]

@@geminisabah that clone sheep was infertile however. She couldn’t produce offspring, so it wouldn’t have made a difference.

[@lamegoldfish6736]

It is fascinating to see Art and Science working together with Lonesome George. 😃

[@Koko-rc3pz]

-There are no accidents Lonesome George *wait*

[@USDS_TikTok_Mike]

This genuinely is such a heartbreaking story. The name.. The history.. All of it is just so sad.

[@Spookims]

THE WORLD DIDNT DESERVE YOU KING 😭😭😭😭

[@catmaniac8646]

The fact that this was recommended to me after 6 yrs i kinda felt lik he was saying listen human's i might be gone but there are others that are still suffering please learn for us .... But guess some humans never learn

[@MattGodzilla2000]

Just wait, you'll see his ghost in the halls.

[@rosethehat2073]

I wish they went more in depth on how they preserved him. How did they remove his skin and keep it from rotting? How did they attach the skin to the mold? What did they do with the bones? Did they use the actual shell on the sculpture?

[@CoolGobyFish]

yes, this video offers ZERO useful info about the whole process. maybe they thought it would be to gross?

[@rosethehat2073]

@@CoolGobyFish Could be or they didn’t want to talk about how they cut open George since so many people admired him.

[@CoolGobyFish]

@@rosethehat2073 yes, the pretty much skinned him and stretched the skin over a clay skulpture

[@imcintyre01]

Are we sure some dinosaurs like the "Long necks" weren't actually big turtles without a shell? Some turtles have soft shells and some no shells at all.

[@miracleaniaaa7208]

Yeah i was kind of thinking that, theres some similarities

[@nickacelvn]

Happy travels George.

[@kanon1118]

Yo he dead where is he going?

[@saims.2402]

I thought they were drying him off after giving him a shower. 😢

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

The artist did an impressive job. Amazing

[@beans4269]

I was so sad when he died

[@Fish-um7dh]

So sad that George passed, but it's nice to see him being remembered like this.

[@bluebloodcell9420]

1:40 *GEORGE* preserves Lonesome *GEORGE*

[@qinchang4036]

YES

[@johniescottjrrules7306]

Kind of grossly sad that the he was cut up and preserved instead of buried to me but what do I know? I’m just frightened over taxidermy.

[@BALLIandFLUFFYandOZIE]

They are making the sculpture of master Oogway.

[@draskang]

Amazing work Mr Dante

[@stronkknight]

I hope he makes some friends in heaven

[@kanon1118]

Which heaven? Was he a muslim? Well he cant get in the christian heaven then. Hes currently burning in hell.

[@valenting3183]

The book about Lonesome George is a book I wish I could get everyone to read. Please look for it. Not sad. Good. Informative.

[@myboyabdonfuckinlamronandt553]

rip jorge, a real human bean

[@gogo17s]

MY BOY A BD ON FUCKIN LAMRON AND THEM lol “human bean”

[@meow9426]

HUMAN BEAN LMAOOOOOO

[@moch.farisdzulfiqar6123]

Oh hi Denny, Lisa loves you too, as a person, a human BEAN...

[@kanon1118]

Yo hes a turtle. How is he a real human bean?

[@JMWxx]

It looks like he’s just done a sculpture of what he looked like. RIP lonesome George. I hope you’re no longer lonely!

[@christinafrch904]

R.I.P. sweet turtle :´(

[@draconiusultamius]

I remember crying a bit when I heard he died... strange to think it's been 8 years since then

[@andresverez6645]

Debería estar en Ecuador 🇪🇨 nos pertenece

[@laurab9867]

Nadio robo el cadaver del animal. Probablemente alguien "del Ecuador" llamo al museo de historia natural de Nueva York para que preservaran a George.

[@erikaerika7788]

Andres Verez el video dice el govierno mando el cadaver para Ny , para didecarlo y lo regresaron a ecuadoren despues de tenerlo listo ,

[@mmawithsubtitles7460]

Read the discription " after a limited time on view at the Museum The Lonesome George returns to Ecuador as part of that nation's patrimony"

[@TheHpnumber1fan]

Once I realized this wasn’t taxidermy, this video became so much more enjoyable

[@wtx23j]

RIP Lonesome George

[@kinzthegreat8959]

He was the true curious George. . .

[@poptart3905]

Why isn't anyone talking about how they put his real skin on the sculpture

[@dormiaria8780]

that's how this kind of taxidermy works. The muscle and tissue rots away, so you preserve the skin and put it on a custom mount made to fit the animal hide.

[@poptart3905]

OH well that's scary

[@Shellsterxx]

That’s taxidermy dude. If you’ve ever been to a museum with animal displays, they’re probably taxidermy.

[@TwoPilotMind]

This video really shows you what bad people we are. The mistakes we’ve made. Our mistakes are getting worse and worse.

[@asianboy8969]

Is artificial insemination not possible?

[@Ari-fm7df]

asianboy8969 from what I heard he did take a liking to some females, but none of the eggs would hatch. So, it could be that the big guy was infertile.

[@nekroneko7335]

Rest In Peace handsome George

[@JoshZnh]

"This Is His Shell, His Skin" Me : WTFFF His skiinnnn??!!! He wass mutilatedd?? Wttffff

[@matthewmann8969]

Turtles and Tortoises even the Non Snapping ones are hard to anticipate, expect, time, and follow

[@koootoshidayo]

Rip Joji

[@aimanzidani6478]

Arima Muhammad Kousei is this a meme lol

[@ノクターン-r2q]

Danizi Joji is the Japanese version of George.. unless he's talking about filthy frank then yes xd

[@Колбаска_Гост]

It's very sad,that Alone George dead

[@ByakuganWhite]

I hope they preserved some DNA samples. Cloning is an extremely viable way to recover an extinct species.

[@astrotheflower295]

yeah but we still won’t forget George 😢

[@likitalks3680]

Super video nice to see