The world’s oldest turtle turns 190. His name is Jonathan and he lives on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.
“From the rise and fall of the British Empire to the world wars, it’s staggering when you look at how much has happened in the world since it was born in 1832,” noted Island Veterinarian Joe Hollins. Jonathan, entered this year in the Guinness book of records, turns out to be the longest-lived turtle ever recorded. The animal has lived in Sant’Elena since 1882 and its age is still the result of an assessment. A photo taken upon its arrival shows that the tortoise was already at least 50 years old at the time.
On the island, which is a British overseas territory, Jonathan saw 35 governors parade, but not Napoleon, who died in 1821. Now he lives in the governor’s residence together with David, Emma and Fred, much younger turtles. “I hear them regularly on the lawn playing and frolicking with Emma. But I have to watch them when they interact because the turtles can roll onto their backs and never get up again,” Governor Lisa Phillips explained in 2017.
The residents of St. Helena organized a three-day celebration at the home of the governor, who today is personally giving Jonathan his favorite legumes. On Sunday, the pet will also be entitled to a birthday cake. A special stamp has been issued to celebrate the most famous inhabitant of this island of 4,500 souls. But Jonathan already appears on 5 cent coins and immigration stamps.
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