Meet Jonathan: The 194-Year-Old Oldest Living Tortoise

Jonathan, a giant tortoise, is acknowledged as the oldest living land animal, currently aged 194 years. He was brought to Saint Helena from Seychelles in 1882 as a gift to the island's governor.

Although his exact hatch date is unrecorded, historical records and photographs indicate he was already a fully mature adult tortoise upon arrival, leading scientists to estimate his birth year around 1832. In 2022, the governor of Saint Helena officially recognized his birthday on December 4, 1832.

Jonathan lives peacefully on a manicured lawn at the governor's official residence, having outlived 31 different governors of the island. His remarkable lifespan is a significant part of local culture, and he is even featured on the reverse side of Saint Helena's five-pence coin, marking his birth year in relation to human history.