Scientists in Galapagos who have been anxiously incubating the eggs of the world's only surviving Pinta Tortoise have become skeptical that they will hatch.
Three months after eggs were laid in the first nest of a tortoise that shares the pen with Lonesome George, the eggs have started to show signs of being infertile.
Freddy Villalva, the park ranger in charge of Galapagos National Park's "Fausto Llerena" Giant Tortoise Captive Breeding Center, reported that the last routine monitoring of the 13 incubated eggs showed that most have experienced a notable weight loss, which indicates that there may be little chance that they will hatch.
For example, egg number 3 of the second nest, which went into the incubator on August 4 with a weight of 127 grams, weighed only 82 grams (approximately 35% less) by November 4. Similarly, egg number 4 of the same nest lost 66 grams. Under normal conditions, weight is maintained or there is only a slight weight loss.
"Another symptom observed in these eggs is that some of the shells show a fungus growth on them. Nevertheless, 20% of the eggs may still hatch," said the park ranger. In captivity, there is about an 85% hatching success, much greater than in a natural state, where weather conditions play a major role.
Villalva remarked that it is normal for eggs to lose between 10 and 15 grams from the time they go into the incubator until their last weighing. The hatching process itself takes five days, after which the tortoises are placed in a dark box for the yolk sac absorption process to be completed.
Galapagos National Park Director General Sixto Naranjo says there are several possible explanations for why the eggs never developed embryos: George is sterile, the females' 15 years without laying eggs rendered their first batch of eggs deficient or their poor adjustment to captivity left them completely infertile.
We're not giving up hope that Lonesome George will pass on his genes. Time will tell!
Each of our Galapagos adventures includes an in-depth tour of the Charles Darwin Station and its hatching programs, so provided all goes well, you may get a peek at this historic result.
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Lonesome George in his corral with one of his female companions at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. Photo by INCA guest K. Jung.
Perhaps when you visit, the "mini Georges" will be running around the hatching pens, like this little one.If Lonesome George's eggs are not viable, you will still see other hatchling giant tortoises. Photo by INCA guest S. Marks.
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