Lonesome George.

Sad news in the conservation world last week. Lonesome George, the last of the Pinta Island subspecies of Galapagos Tortoise died. Named because he was the last confirmed member of his subspecies, scientists had been trying for years to find a female Pinta Island tortoise for him to mate with, and when that proved fruitless, they attempted mating him with other Galapagos tortoise species. While George did eventually take to some of the ladies, the eggs were sterile.

Galapagos tortoises were among the animals observed by Charles Darwin to have adaptations that allowed them to be uncannily suited to their particular habitat. (Another being the more famous Darwin finches). The tortoises on each of the Galapagos islands all descended from a common ancestor, but evolved slightly different body structures and shell shapes to allow them to best survive on their particular island.

Tortoise populations were decimated when early explorers learned they could take the reptiles on their ships for long voyages because the tortoises can survive on little food and water, and aren't fast enough to escape pursuing sailors.

Lonesome George was an icon for conservationists everywhere, and a symbol of the devastating impact humans can have on the other creatures we share the planet with. At 100 years old, Lonesome George was different from other animals of species who go extinct- we didn't just learn of it, we struggled to stop it, but had to stand by, helpless, and watch it happen.

From here.