Jonathan, the oldest recognized tortoise in the world, has lived through two world wars and just celebrated his 191st birthday.
Tortoise Jonathan is believed to have been born in 1832, which means he has witnessed countless global events. Jonathan is also the oldest tortoise ever recorded and resides on Saint Helena Island, where he is considered a national treasure and is featured on the local 5-cent coin.
This remarkable creature has spent most of his life on Saint Helena, one of the most remote islands in the world.
Jonathan the tortoise is now 191 years old. (Source: Daily Mail).
According to the Mail, Jonathan currently lives in the grounds of Plantation House alongside three much younger tortoises named David, Emma, and Fred. This ancient tortoise has witnessed over 35 governors come and go from Plantation House, along with the introduction of radio, telephones, television, the Internet, cars, and airports on the island.
Now blind and with a diminished sense of smell, Jonathan spends his days wandering the land he has called home for decades.
Veterinarian Joe Hollins told the Guinness World Records that: “Jonathan is in good health, and all current signs lead us to hope that he will live to see his third century.”
“Jonathan is fed by hand once a week, with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables. This not only supplements his calorie intake but also provides essential nutrients for his metabolism, such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.”
According to the website of Saint Helena Island, no one is certain about Jonathan’s exact birth date, but it is believed that he was around 50 years old when he arrived on the island. His official birthday is recorded as being around December.
Jonathan’s life has been relatively stable and happy. He has had a long-term relationship with his partner Frederica since 1991. However, the tortoise couple has never produced offspring, as it was discovered in 2017 that Frederica is a male tortoise.
Last year, Jonathan’s 190th birthday was celebrated with a three-day party at the Governor’s Residence. A series of posters highlighting various milestones in Jonathan’s life, along with many photographs and messages from visitors over the years, were displayed at this event.
