Giant tortoise Jonathan, the oldest known living creature, celebrates his 190th birthday | Abroad

The animal hatched in 1832 in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean and was given as a gift to the British governor of Saint Helena, Sir William Grey-Wilson, 50 years later, when it reached adulthood. Since then, Jonathan has resided on the grounds of Plantation House, the governor’s residence. The festivities can also be followed live there. Visitors are very welcome at the Christmas market where Jonathan souvenirs are for sale, among other things.

According to Joe Hollins, the vet who cares for the elderly tortoise and a number of others on the island, Jonathan is probably closer to 200. “To be honest, I think he’s older. But we’ll never know for sure,” he told the Washington Post. Although his exact date of birth remains unknown, Jonathan was given an official birthday in November this year by the Governor of the British Overseas Territories: December 4, 1832.

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According to Guinness World Records, the turtle’s age is “an estimate, based on the fact that it was fully mature, i.e. at least 50 years old, when it arrived at Saint Helena in 1882.” That means Jonathan was a young tortoiseshell when Queen Victoria ascended the throne. However, he did not meet Saint Helena’s most famous resident: Napoleon Bonaparte arrived on the island in 1815 and died six years later. “He’s probably older than we think.”

In his old age some senses have failed Jonathan, but he still likes to lie in the sun and his appetite is unmistakable. There is also nothing wrong with the libido of the old boss. ,,He still regularly mates with Emma and sometimes forms a couple with Fred. Animals are often not so gender sensitive,” Hollins noted in the Guinness record book.

The elderly tortoise has previously been immortalized on the reverse of the local 5 pence coin.