Famed Galapagos tortoise autopsied

In this photo released by the Galapagos National Park Direction, DPNG, the body of the famed Galapagos giant tortoise Lonesome George is removed on stretcher from a corral at the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Sunday, June 24, 2012. The Galapagos National Park says in a statement that the tortoise estimated to be about 100 years old died Sunday. Various mates had been provided for Lonesome George over the years in unsuccessful attempts to keep his subspecies alive. (AP Photo/Galapagos National Park Direction)

In this photo released by the Galapagos National Park Direction, DPNG, the body of the famed Galapagos giant tortoise Lonesome George is removed on stretcher from a corral at the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Sunday, June 24, 2012. The Galapagos National Park says in a statement that the tortoise estimated to be about 100 years old died Sunday. Various mates had been provided for Lonesome George over the years in unsuccessful attempts to keep his subspecies alive. (AP Photo/Galapagos National Park Direction)

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) ? Giant tortoise experts from near and far have begun an autopsy of Lonesome George, whose failed efforts to reproduce made him a symbol of disappearing species.

The Galapagos Island reptile was the last of the Pinta island giant tortoise subspecies and he was found dead in his pen on Sunday.

He had become an ambassador of sorts for the archipelago off Ecuador's coast whose unique flora and fauna helped inspire Charles Darwin's ideas on evolution.

Galapagos conservation official Washington Llerena says scientists suspect Lonesome George died of a heart attack. His was believed to be about 100 years old, not especially old for a giant tortoise.

Scientists from the U.S. were aiding in the autopsy by videoconference.

Associated Press

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