Remains of tortoise Lonesome George returning to Ecuador

FILE - In this May 8, 2009 file photo, Lonesome George, the last giant terrestrial turtle of the Geochelone species abigdoni, is seen at Galapagos National Park in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, Ecuador. The turtle's embalmed and preserved body will be returned to the Galapagos Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, where it will be on permanent display to the public. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File) (The Associated Press)

QUITO, Ecuador – Lonesome George is returning to the Galapagos Islands, where his longevity as the last of his giant tortoise species and fruitless attempts to find him a mate made him a local legend.

George died at age 90 from natural causes in 2012. His remains were sent to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where he was embalmed and exhibited.

Now he's being brought back to Ecuador and will be put in a special display on Santa Cruz island for public viewing starting Feb. 23.

He was the last of his species, and he left no descendants despite efforts by Galapagos National Park workers to mate him with similar tortoise species.

The Galapagos Islands are recognized as an environmental treasure and inspired Charles Darwin's theory on natural selection.