A giant tortoise named “Pepe the Missionary,”
who is known as one of the most photographed
animals on Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, has died at
age 60.
Pepe rose to fame as a mascot for Franciscan
missionaries, whom he lived with for many years. He
was well loved by tourists who visited the area.
According to reports, his organs had begun to fail,
and he was overweight. He died of “natural causes”
at the Galapagos National Park on Friday, AFP
reports.
Pepe comes from the Chelonoidis Becki species of
tortoises known for living for up to 100 or 200 years.
And so he was considered a “young adult” when he
passed away.
Paying tribute to the tortoise, Park Director Arturo
Izurieta said, “After 6o years of life, Pepe the
missionary will remain in our memories forever.”
R.I.P Pepe.