14 DAY TRIAL // Lonesome George, the world's last Pista Island tortoise, died in June 2012. He was well over 100 years old when he passed away.
During his lifetime, George was pretty famous. Truth be told, he weighed some 200 pounds (almost 91 kilograms) and measured 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, so it's no wonder that people couldn't get enough of him.
More so since he was the last known representative of his species.
Since his death, the tortoise has been kept in a freezer. A taxidermist and a team of conservationists are now looking into the possibility of preserving his body for posterity.
Not to beat about the bush, lonesome George will be stuffed and then put on display at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. Sources say that, should things go as planned, the tortoise will go on display this coming winter.
After spending some time at this museum, he will be sent to Ecuador.
“We are honored to receive this incredibly important specimen and ultimately, put it on display for the public.”
“Our team of experts, using preservation and taxidermy techniques that have earned this institution recognition throughout the world, will ensure the legacy of Lonesome George lives on and is appreciated by future generations,” Michael J. Novacek, senior vice president and provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, said in a statement.