Mr Turpen

Mr. Turpen is a male Galapagos tortoise that lives in the Pitcairn Islands. These animals were known as "turpins", for example Charles Darwin wrote "Met an immense Turpin; took little notice of me."[1]

History

Mr. Turpen was brought to the Pitcairn Islands on the brigantine Yankee in 1937.[2] He was unloaded by longboat, at Bounty Bay. Mr. Turpen is the only survivor of the five Galapagos tortoises brought to the Pitcairn Islands between 1937 and 1951.[2] An ordinance was passed to protect Mr. Turpen, by the Island Council, anyone harming him is liable to 60 days imprisonment.[2]

On 14 January 2000 the Pitcairn Islands issued a set of postage stamps celebrating Mr. Turpen and the protection ordinance.[2]

References
  1. Charles Darwin. Galapagos Notebook. p. 20b.
  2. "Galapagos Tortoise - Mr. Turpen". Retrieved 18 October 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.