The oldest tortoise on the Galapagos Islands may finally be able to save his species from extinction by becoming a father.

George is the sole survivor of the Pinta tortoises and was discovered off the coast of Ecuador in 1972, reports Perth Now.

After 36 years of attempting to breed the giant tortoise, rangers from the Galapagos National Park now believe that they are in possession of a number of fertilised eggs.

Scientists discovered nine eggs, three of which have now been moved to an incubator, which they hope will contain the genes of a Pinta tortoise.

Henry Nicholls, author of the book Lonesome George: The Life and Loves of a Conservation Icon, told Perth Now that scientists should not get too excited as tortoises sometimes lay unfertilised eggs.

The incubators have been set at 28 degrees Celsius in order to attempt to produce a male and 29.5 degrees Celsius in order to produce two females.

However, scientists have predicted that it could take more than 50 years of purpose breeding to produce a pure Pinta tortoise.

It is expected to take just over three months before scientists and researchers can confirm the exact content of the eggs.

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