Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise, turns 190

• Jonathan was brought from Seychelles to the UK overseas territory 50 years after he hatched, based on shell measurements.
• He was a gift to the south Atlantic island’s governor.
• Jonathan has gained popularity and made the Guinness World Record the oldest living land mammal and the oldest chelonian.

Jonathan, the Seychelle’s oldest tortoise, turns 190 on Sunday in Saint Helena, where Napoleon died a year before.

Since he was a gift to the south Atlantic island’s governor, Jonathan has gained popularity and made the Guinness World Record as the oldest living land mammal and the oldest chelonian. He was a star and appeared on the local five-pence currency.

Jonathan was brought from Seychelles to the UK overseas territory 50 years after he hatched, based on shell measurements.

“Jonathan’s age is an estimation based on the fact that he was fully mature, and hence at least 50 years old when he arrived in Saint Helena from Seychelles in 1882. In all likelihood, he is even older than we think,” Guinness World Records says he’s probably older than we thought.

He lives in Plantation House, the St Helena governor’s official mansion, where events are being held all weekend, including the printing of a special stamp, to mark his birthday.

Jonathan’s favourite foods will be used to make his birthday cake. His caretakers say he loves lettuce, carrots, peas, cucumbers, and apples.

In 2022, Jonathan was named the world’s oldest living land animal and the oldest tortoise by Guinness World Records.

“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, and the many governors, kings and queens that have passed, it’s quite extraordinary. And he’s just been here, enjoying himself,” says he’s been enjoying himself.

Old Jonathan has wrinkles, no sense of smell, and cataracts from witnessing past world events. The governor of British overseas territory Nigel Phillips ultimately gave him a birth date, December 4, 1832, in November.

Saint Helenan continue to pray for Jonathan’s long life, but authorities aim to preserve his shell after he dies.

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