Lonesome George, the famed Galapagos tortoise that became a symbol of the islands and their unique ecosystem, has died. Scientists ...
estimate he was around 100 years old. (June 25)
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SHOTLIST:AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLYSanta Cruz Island, Galapagos - 19 June 2012 1. Various of last known video of 'Lonesome George' alive, eating at the Centre for Tortoise Breeding at Galapagos National ParkSanta Cruz Island, Galapagos - 24 June 2012 2. SOUNDBITE: (English translation over Spanish) Fausto Llerena, Lonesome George's keeper: "I arrived at the door and Lonesome was good, he was climbing on some stones. And then I had to leave him, and when I returned he was dead. I tell you, I froze completely."3. Various of dead body of 'Lonesome George'4. SOUNDBITE: (English translation over Spanish) Edwin Naula, Director of Galapagos National Park: "We plan to embalm Lonesome's body so we can show him to the people who did not get to meet him. That way we will be able to keep the message alive, that we must be more responsible conserving the environment in which we live, our planet."FILE: La Pinta Island - Galapagos - 22 July 2009 ++4:3++5. Various of Lonesome George SCRIPTIn mid-June Lonesome George had been living life as usual, in his enclosure at the Charles Darwin research station in the Galapagos Islands. He was believed to be the last living member of the Pinta Island subspecies of giant tortoise. The failure of decades of attempts to breed him helped make him famous.But over the weekend his keeper says George passed away...SOTofficials at the Galapagos national park say an autopsy is part of their investigation into what caused George's death. Scientists figure he was about 100 -- not especially old for giant tortoises.SOTit's not surprising the park wants to keep Lonesome George in the public eye -- he's a recognizeable symbol for the islands whose unique flora and fauna helped inspire Charles Darwin's ideas on evolution.(****END****)VIDEO PRODUCER/VOICER: Karen Sloan------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: AP TELEVISION--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: Samira Becirovic------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY----------------------------------WIRE SOURCE: AP------------------------------------
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