Dwindling Hopes of Offspring from Lonesome

Press Release
Puerto Ayora, Galapagos – November 11, 2008

Three months after eggs were laid in the first nest of Geochelone becky female 107 from the Wolf Volcano area of Isabela Island (one of two females that share a pen with Lonesome George), the eggs have started to show signs of being infertile.Freddy Villalva, the park ranger in charge of GNP’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.
Source: Galapagos National Park Press Release