Quito, Ecuador (AP, WLTX) --  The necropsy of the last Pinta Island Galapagos tortoise species has begun.

Sunday, Lonesome George was found dead near his watering hole by his long-time caretaker. He was over 100 years old.

Lonesome George arrived at the National Galapagos Park in Santa Cruz Island in 1972. Pinta Island Galapagos tortoises were thought to be extinct. 

Conservationists tried constantly to mate him with female tortoises of different subspecies, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is also home to four adult Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises and five hatchlings born last November.

The tortoises can live as long as 200 years.