George, Reclusive Hawaiian Snail And Last Of His Kind, Dies At 14
While he was but one very lonely Achatinella apexfulva, his death takes place amid a crisis for Hawaii's native snails, whose populations have been decimated by invasive species.
George, the last of his species of Hawaiian land snail, died on New Year's Day. He was approximately 14 years old.
His death was confirmed by Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources.
George was born as part of a last-ditch effort to save his species. Back in 1997, the last 10 known Achatinella apexfulvawere brought into a University of Hawaii lab to try to increase their numbers. Some offspring resulted, but all of them died â except for George.
