23 Sep 2014

Lonesome George sparks tug of war

3:37 pm on 23 September 2014

A dispute has broken out between Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands over the ownership of Lonesome George - the Galapagos giant tortoise who died in 2012.

Lonesome George in 2007.

Lonesome George in 2007. Photo: REUTERS

He was the last known individual of his sub-species.

The Ecuadorean government said Lonesome George should be kept in Quito.

However, the Galapagos local mayor said Lonesome George should return home.