Preserving Lonesome George Short Doc

As the last survivor of his species, Lonesome George became a worldwide icon of conservation decades before he died from natural causes in the Galapagos in 2012.

When the Pinta Island tortoise arrived at the American Museum of Natural History in early 2013 to be preserved, Museum scientists and a master taxidermist faced a number of critical decisions. The specimen had to be both scientifically accurate and beautiful, true not just to the Pinta Island species but to the beloved individual, Lonesome George. With no contemporary giant tortoise taxidermy to reference and no margin for error, this was a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

As the process unfolded, Lonesome George’s preparators developed an emotional connection to the animal. They also felt a deep responsibility to Lonesome George’s former caretakers, to the people of Ecuador, and to future generations who might be inspired by Lonesome George’s story and message of biodiversity under threat.

The short (24 mins) documentary "Preserving Lonesome George," reveals the intricacies of taxidermy, in which art and science combine to create a powerful tribute to a global conservation icon.

Learn more about Lonesome George: http://www.amnh.org/explore/preserving-lonesome-george

Lonesome George was on view at the Museum from Sept. 9, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Learn more about the exhibition: http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/lonesome-george

In 2015, Lonesome George will return to Ecuador as part of that nation’s patrimony.

The special exhibition "Lonesome George" was presented at the American Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Galapagos National Park Directorate and Galapagos Conservancy.
VIDEO CREDITS:

Presented by the American Museum of Natural History

FEATURING (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Lonesome George
Eleanor Sterling
Linda Cayot
James Gibbs
Michael Novacek
George Dante
Christopher Raxworthy
Darrel Frost
Johannah Barry
Arturo Izurieta

PRODUCERS
Jill Bauerle
Lee Stevens

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Eugenia Levenson

CAMERA
Jill Bauerle
Erin Chapman
Lee Stevens

OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE
DESIGN AND DIGITAL COMPOSITOR
Alberto Ludeña

ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE
GalapagosDigital.com/Miguel Alvear
George Lewis

IMAGES
American Association
of Zoological Parks
and Aquariums
AMNH/Craig Chesek
AMNH/Denis Finnin
AMNH/Roderick Mickens
AMNH Library Archives
Emanuel Bowen
Gisella Caccone
Linda Cayot
George Dante
Galapagos Conservancy
Galapagos National Park Directorate
Tom Fritts
Eric Gaba
Peter Gene
James Gibbs
Zachary Grinspan
Ole Hamann
David Adam Kess
Leslie Lenny
Alizon Llerena
MaryEllen and Paul
Daniel Mietchen
Never Lamb
© Pete Oxford/Corbis
Roelant Savery
Sir Peter Scott
Timothy Snell/testmeat.com
Igor Starukha
Triiiple Threat
United States Geological Survey
Mike Weston
Peter Wilton
MUSIC
"Step By Step Underscore"
Composed by Ben Stone
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Early Fog Lifter"
Composed by Ken Lewis, Scott Dente, and Matt Stanfield
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Indigo"
Composed by Guillermo De La Berreda,
Tomas Jacobi, and Nicholas Berry
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Away from Earth"
Composed by Gijs van Amelsvoort
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"The Broken Places"
Composed and Performed by Moby
Courtesy of Moby

"Limpopo"
Composed by Tom Fox
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"A Freak"
Composed and Performed by Moby
Courtesy of Moby

"Later Alligator"
Composed by Roger Dexter
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Story Underscore"
Composed by G. Small and F. Gerard
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Nether Regions"
Composed by Sam Music
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Migration"
Composed by Marshall Smith
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Dreambox"
Composed by Ben Stone and John Trudeau
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Money Makes Poor"
Composed by Alessandro Rizzo, Elliot Ireland, and Paper Boy
Warner/Chappell Production Music

"Glowworm"
Composed by Neal Clutterbuck
Warner/Chappell Production Music

SOUND EFFECTS

Latzii
Barcelonetasonora
Felix Blume
Greenvwbeetle

SPECIAL THANKS
AMNH/Roberto Lebron
Galapagos Conservancy/Johannah Barry, Linda Cayot, and Lori Ulrich
GalapagosDigital.com/George Lewis
Turtle Back Zoo
Wildlife Preservations/Jim Grill, David Kerr, and Dan Doudican

This video and all media incorporated herein (including text, images, and audio) are the property of the American Museum of Natural History or its licensors, all rights reserved. The Museum has made this video available for your personal, educational use. You may not use this video, or any part of it, for commercial purposes, nor may you reproduce, distribute, publish, prepare derivative works from, or publicly display it without the prior written consent of the Museum.

© American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

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