Giant tortoise Lonesome George, whose failed efforts to produce offspring made him a symbol of a disappearing species, has been found dead, officials at the Galapagos National Park announced.

Scientists had expected him to live another few decades at least

George was believed to be the last living member of the Pinta Island subspecies and had become an ambassador of sorts for the islands off Ecuador’s coast, whose unique flora and fauna helped inspire Charles Darwin’s ideas on evolution.

The tortoise’s age was not known but scientists believed he was about 100, not especially old for giant tortoises, who can live well over a century. Scientists had expected him to live another few decades at least.

Lonesome George was discovered on Pinta Island in 1972 at a time when tortoises of his type were already believed to be extinct.

Since then, the animal had been part of the park service’s tortoise programme.

He lived at a tortoise breeding centre on the archipelago’s island of Santa Cruz.

His long-time keeper, Fausto Llerena, found the tortoise’s remains stretched out in the “direction of his watering hole” on the island.

Attempts were initially made to mate Lonesome George with two female tortoises from Wolf Volcano. But the eggs they produced were infertile.

Two females from Spanish island’s tortoise population, the species most closely related to Pinta tortoises, were placed with him last year.

The park said the cause of his death would be investigated.

The Galapagos’ giant tortoise population was decimated after the arrival of humans but a recovery programme run by the park and the Charles Darwin Foundation has increased the overall population from 3,000 in 1974 to 20,000 today.

In honour of Lonesome George, the park service said it was convening an international workshop in July on management strategies for restoring tortoise populations over the next decade.

The Galapagos Islands, situated about 1,000 kilometres off Ecuador’s coast, is considered a haven for tortoises.

Last of its kind

• Lonesome George was the last Pinta Island tortoise.

• The species was thought extinct in early 20th century.

• The turtle was spotted by a Hungarian scientist and taken to Santa Cruz in 1972.

• All efforts to breed Lonesome George with closely related species failed.

• Now he has died, there are 13 remaining distinct groups of Galapagos Island giant tortoise.

• These number an estimated population of 20,000 to 25,000.

• The Galapagos Island giant tortoises were exploited in the 1800s by whalers, fur sealers and pirates.

• They were desired as food by sailors for their ability to stay alive up to a year without needing food or water.