Mr Turpen was brought to the Pitcairn Islands by Irving Johnson on board his ship 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]
