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Preserving Lonesome George Short Doc

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• published: 04 Jan 2015
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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