London: If you ask what is the oldest living creature on land today, there is only one answer. Jonathan. Jonathan is a giant tortoise from the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Jonathan is celebrating his 190th birthday.
Jonathan is believed to have been born in the East African country of Seychelles in 1832. It is also argued that Jonathan may have been born before this. In any case, it was almost 50 years after his birth that Jonathan was brought from the Seychelles to the British colony of St. Helena.
The name St. Helena will be familiar to many. French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last days here. Defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to St. Helena, Napoleon died in 1921.
Jonathan currently resides in the official residence of the Governor of St. Helena. Various programs are organized as part of the birthday celebration. A special stamp was also issued. Tomorrow, the three-day celebrations will conclude with a birthday cake filled with Jonathan’s favorite dishes.
Jonathan likes carrot, lettuce, cucumber, apple, pear etc. Earlier this year, Jonathan held the Guinness World Record for being the world’s oldest living land animal. The record for the longest living turtle was held this month.
Jonathan was enjoying his life on earth as world events unfolded, including two world wars, the rise and fall of the British Empire, and plagues. Despite his age, Jonathan still has no major handicaps.