Lots of eggs, but no babies for Galapagos tortoise

By this point in his long life, Lonesome George should be at least a grandfather.

But even fatherhood appears to be eluding the Galapagos tortoise, estimated to be between 75 and 80 years old and believed to be the last living member of the Geochelone abigdoni species.

Galapagos National Park officials announced Wednesday that eight eggs laid by the giant tortoise's two female companions are infertile.

The disappointing news came 130 days after conservationists placed the eggs in an artificial incubator _ the first time any of George's mates had produced eggs after 36 years of attempts by park rangers.

The most recent prospective …