13. Pinta Island Tortoise (Chelonoidis abingdon)
The Pinta Island tortoise gained worldwide attention through its last known member, Lonesome George, who died in 2012. Native to the Galápagos Islands, these giant tortoises fell victim to habitat destruction and invasive species introduced by humans. Their extinction is a sobering testament to the long-term impacts of human activity on fragile island ecosystems. The legacy of Lonesome George continues to inspire global conservation efforts and reflection on our role as stewards of biodiversity.
