Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two centuries of history

2026-01-10 11:40:00, Blog CNA

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

Jonathan, a giant tortoise from the Seychelles, is considered the world's oldest living land animal. Born around 1832, which means he was alive before cars, airplanes and even the invention of the telephone, he is thought to be 193 years old and lives on the island of St. Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

He settled in St. Helena in 1882, at about the age of 50, and for decades has resided in the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the governor. Jonathan was named in the 1930s, has lived through the terms of 31 governors, and has witnessed nearly two centuries of human history, including major wars, technological revolutions, and countless generations of people. Although his exact age is unknown, local authorities have officially set his birthday as December 4.

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

Despite his advanced age, Jonathan continues to be in good health. He is blind and has lost his sense of smell, but has retained excellent hearing and a good appetite. He spends his days peacefully in the company of his tortoise Frederik, with whom he has lived since 1991.

Jonathan has become a symbol of the island of St Helena, appearing on coins, commemorative stamps and in international media. His extraordinary life remains a rare testament to the longevity and resilience of nature.

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

In 2022, the Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized Jonathan as the oldest living land animal and the oldest chelonian ever recorded.

Jonathan shares the expansive gardens of Plantation House with three other giant tortoises, Emma, ??David and Fred. The mansion itself is grand and colonial, but the tortoises are the real VIPs here.

While the interior of the house is usually off limits to visitors unless you book a tour, the gardens are open to the public and there you'll find Jonathan enjoying himself under the trees, grazing the lawn, or waiting for his next banana.

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

Jonathan the Giant Tortoise is more than just a tourist attraction, he's a national icon. You'll find him on local coins and stamps, and the people of St. Helena truly see him as part of the island's identity.

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

How to meet Jonathan the turtle?

Jonathan is a protected “resident” and visitors are asked to be respectful, but he loves to be petted on the feet and is not shy at all. The best time to meet Jonathan is during morning feeding hours, especially in the colder months when he is more active.

Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world/ A living witness to almost two

Jonathan the Giant Tortoise is not just a quirky island attraction, but a living link to a world that no longer exists. In an age of fast-paced everything, Jonathan is a reminder of the value of slowness, of sustainability./ CNA