Incredible Extinct Creatures That Once Ruled Our Planet

Pinta Giant Tortoise

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, the pinta giant tortoise was a significant species studied by Charles Darwin. Its population plummeted due to centuries of hunting, especially by whalers in the 19th century. The subspecies was assumed extinct by the mid-20th century, until a single male was discovered in 1971. Attempts were made to mate Lonesome George, the last known individual of the species, with similar subspecies, but they were unsuccessful. Lonesome George died alone in June 2012.