New Delhi: How long can an animal live? Well, there is Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise whose approximate age has been estimated to be 191 as of 2024. Hatched in 1832, this tortoise is reportedly the oldest known living land animal and he lives on Saint Helena. The island is a British territory in overseas which is where Napoleon Bonaparte was sent for exile by the British after the Battle of Waterloo.
Know about Jonathan, the oldest living land animal
Jonathan was hatched in 1832 and he was taken from the Seychelles to Saint Helena in 1882. Three other tortoises were accompanying him at that time. In the 1930s, Sir Spencer Davis, Saint Helena’s governor named him and since then, he has witnessed the terms of 31 governors. He lives on the grounds of the governor’s official residence, the Plantation House and Saint Helena’s government looks after him.
The age of Jonathan
Jonathan was at least 50 years old when he was brought to Saint Helena. In 2022, the estimated age of Jonathan surpassed that of Tu’i Malila, the tortoise who held the Guinness World Record till then as the oldest ever in records. The tortoise passed away in 1966 in Tonga aged 189. There was another such tortoise named Adwaita. It was an Aldabra giant tortoise that lived in Kolkata’s Alipore Zoological Gardens and died in 2006 aged 255 years, but it is unconfirmed.
In December 2015, Joe Hollins, a vet in Saint Helena informed that even though Jonathan was alive, he lost his vision due to cataracts and also his sense of smell. However, he had excellent hearing powers. According to the BBC in January 2016, his diet was changed to keep him healthy. Jonathan, due to his age, spends his days mostly with his mate. Notably, Jonathan met Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh in January 2024 while the latter was in St Helena and he had previously met Queen Elizabeth II and King George VI.
Jonathan was hatched in 1832 and he was brought from the Seychelles to Saint Helena in 1882. Three other tortoises were accompanying him at that time. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
