QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuadorean officials say there's new hope that famed Galapagos giant tortoise Lonesome George, believed to be the last of his species, could soon be a father.
The Galapagos National Park says in a statement that one of the two female tortoises kept with George has laid five eggs.
Scientists say George, aged 90 to 100 years old, is the only known living Geochelone abigdoni tortoise.
His companions are of a similar but different species, and eggs laid last year turned out to be infertile.
The park said Tuesday that the eggs are being cared for in an incubation center. It could be clear by November whether they are viable.
George was discovered in 1972 and has lived with the Geochelone becki females since 1993.
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