'Lonesome George' the bachelor tortoise has died

​So long, Lonesome George. The giant tortoise, who served as a conservation icon and symbol of the Galapagos Islands for decades, has died, taking with him not only the last breath of his subspecies but years of hopes he might finally mate. The lone reptile was discovered on Pinta Island in 1971 and rangers spent subsequent decades scouring the earth in search of a corresponding female for the bachelor -- but only ever found bones. Finally they decided to try hooking him up with closely related species but a series of blind dates proved fruitless. He mostly showed no interest (some said he was too tubby for sex) but when he finally slimmed down and mated with one, the eggs proved infertile. George was the last of his kind and considered the "rarest creature in the world." Rest in peace, big guy.