No human can say they’ve lived through two World Wars, 40 presidents, and eight British monarchs—but one tortoise can. Jonathan is the Seychelles giant tortoise from the island of Saint Helena, and it’s believed he’s the oldest living land animal at the age of 192.
Saint Helena, the small island located in the South Atlantic Ocean, served as Napoleon Bonaparte’s home during his exile, but the French emperor was not its only famous resident. Jonathan the Tortoise was brought there from the Seychelles in 1882 – and was already 50 years old at the time!
It’s believed that Jonathan hatched in 1832, which would make him 192 years old! This number is quite historic, and he made it to The Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living land mammal.
This means Jonathan has lived through many major events in modern history and even met several members of the royal family. He made it to Saint Helena’s five-pence coin and became a true attraction with visitors, but his caretaker Joe Hollins is doing everything in his power to protect him and extend his life.
“For this reason, we had to introduce a tortoise corridor – a viewing path – as groups of tourists would mob him for a photo or a selfie, and some would attempt to ride him,” Hollins told The Washington Post.
