Meet Lonesome George (He's Dead)

He may have been the last of his species, but let's take time to reflect on WHO he was, not what he was. Here's to you, buddy.

Lonesome George, a handsome Pinta Island giant tortoise from the Galapagos Islands, died on June 24, 2012. Named after his unlucky lot in life as the last of his species, Lonesome George's passing meant the extinction of the Pinta Island giant tortoises. After he died, George was whisked away to the American Museum of Natural History to be preserved by taxidermists, and remain an advocate for conservation. But in the midst of all the lamentations for this great tortoise species, the soul inside the shell was forgotten. Lonesome George may have been the last of his kind, but he wasn't JUST that. He had hopes and dreams and quirks and bad habits.

In light of remembering the legend that is Lonesome George, I think it's time we reflect on some of the things that made him the tortoise he was.

3news.co.nz

Lonesome George's favorite color was chartreuse.

He loved the song "Pour Some Sugar On Me", but he thought the lyrics were "Awesome Super Hombre", and nobody had the heart to tell him otherwise.

Lonesome George liked pina coladas.

He also liked getting caught in the rain.

He was ticklish under the chin.

He actually enjoyed those little hard candies that all grandmas have that you really don't like but you eat anyways because they're there.

Lonesome George was skeptical of Disney Channel stars.

His celebrity crush was Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.

He wasn't much of a morning person.

treknature.com

Lonesome George was a strong supporter of sporks.

His last wish was to be featured in the next edition of the "All My Friends Are Dead" books.

He thought concrete porch geese were hilarious.

He thought concrete porch geese with raincoats were even more hilarious.

Lonesome George was livid when they wouldn't let him go to the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games.

He sometimes confused sticks with human appendages.

He drank his coffee black.

Lonesome George wasn't actually all that lonesome. He befriended some of the coolest people, like David Attenborough.

thesundaytimes.co.uk

Okay, so maybe I didn't actually meet Lonesome George, but I feel like all of the above would be true. Point is, there was a personality behind the glaring title of "LAST OF HIS SPECIES." And that personality should be recognized too.

Lonesome George is a symbol for conservation. He's inspired many to think more about how we affect this Earth, and the creatures that inhabit it. He's now housed at the American Museum of Natural History, until he can return home to the Galapagos.

If you were lucky enough to meet Lonesome George, or if you feel like his eyes are telling you something life-changing, comment and share! I would love to learn more about the majestic, regal being that was Lonesome George.

American Museum of Natural History

Also, check out this awesome AMNH documentary on Lonesome George's preservation. Taxidermy is cool, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!