World's Oldest Tortoise Dies at Age of 255

The world's oldest tortoise has died at the age of 255.

Lonesome George was a Galapagos tortoise found on Pinta Island and was the last living member of the species. He was taken to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in 1972, where he lived until his death.

Despite his long life, Lonesome George was unable to produce offspring, leading to the extinction of his species.

He will be remembered as a symbol of conservation and a reminder of the importance of biodiversity.

Tortoise Population Continues to Decline in the Wild

The population of the threatened tortoise continues to decline in the wild, a new study has found.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has just released an update on the conservation status of the world's tortoises and turtles, and it shows that the number of these animals in the wild is continuing to decline.

Out of the 356 species examined, 97 (27%) are now considered at risk of extinction, compared with 93 (26%) in 2017.

Perhaps most alarming is that seven tortoise and freshwater turtle species have been added to the IUCN Red List as "critically endangered", meaning they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

These include three species of Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), two species of African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), one each of Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) and Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), and Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

The populations of other iconic tortoises and turtles, such as the Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) and Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), are also in danger of extinction.

The main threats to these animals include poaching and trade, habitat loss and degradation, invasive alien species, disease and climate change.

In order to safeguard these creatures for future generations, concerted conservation efforts are urgently needed involving local communities, governments and NGOs worldwide.

Rescuers Hope to Save Hundreds of Endangered Tortoises

For years, a group of volunteers has tirelessly worked to save as many endangered desert tortoises as possible.

Now, they're hoping to rescue hundreds more.

The Arizona-based nonprofit Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center announced this week that it's embarking on a new multiyear project to relocate up to 500 threatened tortoises from an area near Tucson that's set to be developed.

"The time is now for us to save these animals," said the center's director, Jennifer Ulibarri.

The relocation effort is welcome news for conservationists, who have been working to preserve the desert tortoise for decades.

These fascinating creatures have been around for millions of years, but they're in danger of becoming extinct due to habitat loss and poaching.

Desert tortoises can live up to 100 years and play a crucial role in their ecosystem by spreading seeds and eating large amounts of vegetation.

They're also a source of food for predators like hawks and coyotes.

In recent years, the population of desert tortoises has declined by more than 60 percent. This is largely due to the fact that their natural habitat is being destroyed by development and climate change.

In order to save these animals from extinction, we need to do everything we can to protect their habitat and provide them with safe places to live.

That's why initiatives like the one spearheaded by Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center are so important.

Baby Tortoises Hatched at Zoo for First Time in 30 Years

In a zoo first, baby tortoises have hatched! Zoo workers were delighted to find that the eggs, which had been incubated at a temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit, resulted in hatchlings. This is an exciting event for the zoo, as it has been 30 years since baby tortoises were born there.

Tortoises can live up to 80 years, so it is hoped that these new arrivals will help to keep the population going for many years to come. The babies are currently being kept in a temperature-controlled environment and are being fed specialist food suitable for their age.

It is not yet known what the gender of the hatchlings is, but this will be determined in the coming weeks and months. Keeper Rachel Perry said "We are overjoyed at the arrival of these little tortoises and we are hopeful that they will grow into healthy adults."

Scientists Discover How Tortoises Can Live over 100 Years

In a study recently published in the journal Science, a team of scientists has identified the genetic variants that allow turtles and tortoises to live for more than a century. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 48 different tortoises and turtles and found two genes, Bcl-2 and FOXO3, that were commonly present in those that lived over 100 years.

The team then used CRISPR gene editing technology to delete these genes from the genomes of young turtles and tortoises. As expected, the deletion of these genes resulted in shorter lifespans for the animals.

The discovery of these longevity genes could lead to new ways to extend the lifespan of humans as well. "We found striking similarities between the ageing profiles of long-lived turtles and humans," said study author Dr George Amvrosiadis. "Our study opens up exciting possibilities for using gene editing technologies to improve human health and extend our lifespans."

While further research is needed to determine whether these genes are actually responsible for extending lifespan in turtles and tortoises, this study provides valuable insight into how we can extend our own life spans.