A tortoise that has lived through two world wars, multiple pandemics and countless British monarchs has turned 190-years-old. Jonathan the Seychelles Giant Tortoise is the oldest known living land animal on Earth and the oldest chelonian ever recorded.
Born in the early 1800s, Jonathan's home is on St Helena, an island found in the South Atlantic Ocean. His age is an estimation but shell measurements and a photo taken taken shortly after his arrival to St Helena show Jonathan was fully mature and at least 50-years-old when he arrived on the Island back in 1882.
Experts believe that Jonathan is likely to be older however. Joe Hollins who cared for Jonathan as as a vet said: Mr Hollins said: “When you think, if he was hatched in 1832 – the Georgian era – my goodness, the changes in the world. The world wars, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the many governors, kings and queens that have passed, it’s quite extraordinary.
“And he’s just been here, enjoying himself.”
At the start of 2022 Jonathan achieved the Guinness World Records title for the world’s oldest living land animal and this month, he has also been named as the oldest tortoise ever. Jonathan has spent the majority of his life on the British Overseas Territory, one of the world’s most remote islands.
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He lives in the grounds of Plantation House alongside three much younger tortoises called David, Emma and Fred and has seen the island introduce radio, telephones, TVs, internet, cars and an airport.
Mr Hollins said it has been a “privilege” to look after the elderly animal, who he described as “magnificent”. “And as a vet – what greater privilege is there than to be looking after the oldest known living land animal in the world? I mean, how often does that happen?"
To mark the milestone birthday, residents from across the island came together for three days of celebrations - including a party and cake.
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