Seychelles giant tortoise Jonathan is the oldest living land animal ever to be recorded
A Guiness World Record holder as well as a local celebrity, Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise is celebrating his 190th birthday. According to a report in the Guardian on Friday, December 2, the tortoise is the oldest know living land animal ever to be recorded.
Born in 1882, Jonathan first arrived on this island in the South Atlantic around 1882, as a gift to the governor. Although, his exact age remains unclear, experts estimate the he hatched around 1832, the report states. But this year, an official date of December 4, 1832 was granted to him as his birthday by Nigel Phillips, the governor of the British overseas territory, the report said.
A quote by the Guiness Book of World Records on the tortoise in the article states, “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”.
A local celebrity, Jonathan has even been features on a local five pence coin. He is also a famous attraction for everyone who visits the island.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and check out the EuroNews247 website for all your up-to-date European news stories.
