Tortoises of Galápagos Islands – Lonesome George, The Life and Loves of the World’s Most Famous Tortoise by Dr. Henry Nicholls.

Tortoises are very resilient reptiles and they live very long lives. They have slow metabolism which allows them longevity and they can grow very big if conditions fit. Although many children’s book or stories depict them as slow creatures, I find them fascinating. In today’s post, I would like to share with you a very charming little book titled Lonesome George by Dr. Henry Nicholls(2006).

All Alone.

Henry Nicholls had pen together a very informative, sad yet witty tortoise chapters in Lonesome George’s book. The title itself is self explanatory, Lonesome George was about a lonely Pinta Tortoise in the Galápagos. Why was he lonely? Well… according to the book he was the last discovered Pinta species found. Hence, there were many efforts of conservation done to help George find his girlfriend in order to nest.

Islands of Galápagos.

I have not been to Galápagos yet but it was enlightening to know that there’s a Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island which carries out tortoise conservation efforts. In Chapter One’s Discovery, the book depicted Lonesome George’s first photograph taken in 1971 by Joseph Vagvolgyi. The author was able to explain and introduce the island’s conservation efforts not only with words but with pictures. It provided me a glimpse of how things were 50 years go.

Tortoises, Iguanas, Goats and Sea Cucumbers.

Besides talking about Pinta tortoise, Henry has also included various tortoise breeds, tortoise evolution and hybrid insights. On top of that, he also wrote about other Galápagos animal findings such as: (1)Goats were considered as an interference and to my discomfort learning about Judas goats shooting; (2)Galápagos have marine and land iguanas; (3) as well as the Galápagos sea cucumber issues which will make you think twice before eating any seafood in the future.

Love Takes Time.

In Chapter Two’s “Lonesome George’s Girlfriend”, I found myself laughing gleefully at the wonderful efforts of Sveva Grigioni working with Lonesome George. The amount of patience to sit with Lonesome George, neutralizing her odour with scientific methods and coaxing him in the attempt to collect secretion was insightful yet witty to read. This shows that love at first sight is almost too good to be true and definitely takes patience.

What More?

Henry Nicholls Lonesome George book also included fascinating historical debates of how the island was formed, animal conservation stories and many more scientific “fyi” which definitely won’t bore you IF…your innitial thoughts were “Oh? So this is only about a tortoise book?”. Nope!

Although Lonesome George deceased in 2012, I would never have known him if I didn’t pick up this book from the library in 2024. It is a book to serve as a reminder to us how precious wild animals and nature can be. There were a few chapters in the book which was sad and disturbing to read. As much as I wish there were another way in dealing with the matter, lest we forget that one should always read with an open mind. I hope you will spend some time reading this book and experience bitter sweet moments.

-Mistytoad-