5 Recently Extinct Animals You Might Not Know About

2. The Pinta Island Tortoise: A Giant's Farewell

The Pinta Island tortoise was a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise, native to Pinta Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Known for its large size and long lifespan, this tortoise was driven to extinction by overhunting and the introduction of non-native animals, such as goats, which destroyed its habitat. The last known individual, Lonesome George, became a symbol of conservation efforts worldwide. Despite attempts to find a mate for Lonesome George, he passed away in 2012, marking the end of his subspecies. His story underscores the importance of preserving genetic diversity and the challenges of restoring populations once they have reached critical lows.