Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib: The assassinations were scheduled to be carried out on Saturday with the aim of stirring up national and sectarian strifes in the country
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib: A series of attempts to assassinate a number of Sunni scholars, judges, and IRGC officers was thwarted
Twin shootings in Rotterdam led to multiple deaths: Dutch police
Dutch Police: Rotterdam shooter arrested
US imposes fresh Sudan-related sanctions: Treasury Department
Dutch Police: Two were wounded in a shooting in the city of Rotterdam, southwest of the country, and the attacker is still at large
Russia halts nuclear fuel exports to US over lack of insurance: Rosatom
Russian Defense Ministry: Ukrainian drone destroyed over Russia's Bryansk region.
Nagorno-Karabakh announces cessation of existence of unrecognized republic.
Russian Defense Ministry: Air defense forces intercepted Ukrainian aircraft-type UAV over Bryansk region.

World’s oldest tortoise celebrates its 190th birthday

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Dec 2022 11:33
  • 2 Shares
  • x

Jonathan, a huge tortoise from Seychelles given to Saint Helena in 1882, is also the oldest known living land animal.

  • Jonathan in the grounds of Plantation House, home of the governor of Saint Helena. (PA)
    Jonathan on the grounds of Plantation House, home of the governor of Saint Helena. (PA)

Jonathan, the Seychelles big tortoise, is set to celebrate his 190th birthday with a three-day feast this weekend.

The big tortoise has been living on Saint Helena since 1882 when he arrived as a gift to the governor of the small south Atlantic island.

He is no stranger to fame, having won Guinness World Records awards for being the oldest known living land animal and the oldest chelonian - an order that includes tortoises, turtles, and terrapins - ever recorded.

Jonathan is also a local celebrity: in addition to being a popular attraction, he has appeared on the reverse of the local five-pence coin. He has long been wrinkled, but he is also blind from cataracts and has lost his sense of smell. Although his exact birth date is unknown, it is believed he was born in about 1832. 

But it wasn't until November of this year that Nigel Phillips, the governor of the British foreign colony, gave him an official birthdate, December 4, 1832.

"Jonathan's age is an estimate based on the fact that he was completely adult, and hence at least 50 years old, when he landed in Saint Helena from Seychelles in 1882," as per Guinness World Records. He is almost certainly older than we assume."

Jonathan was a child when Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, and he has lately experienced the birth of the technology age.

However, Jonathan did not meet Saint Helena's most famous resident: French general Napoleon Bonaparte, who arrived in 1815 and died there six years later.

The three-day celebration, which will bring together residents from across the island, will begin on Friday at the governor's house, with highlights including a tortoise-friendly "birthday cake" and an animated video about his life.

He'll also get some nibbles and a talk with the governor and his wife, Emma, while attendees will get a special diploma, be able to buy Jonathan-related stamps, and see the winners of an art competition created to honor the famous reptile.

  • tortoise
  • World’s oldest tortoise
  • Seychelles
  • Saint Helena

Most Read

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

  • Europe
  • 23 Sep 2023
Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

  • Analysis
  • 24 Sep 2023
Zelensky joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to WWII Nazi soldier

Zelensky joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to WWII Nazi soldier

  • US & Canada
  • 25 Sep 2023
BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

  • Europe
  • 28 Sep 2023

Coverage

All
Morocco & Libya Disasters

Read Next

All
BBC to restrict top hosts' social media usage
Europe

BBC to restrict hosts' social media for chiding anti-migration remarks

Germany, 'Israel'
Europe

Germany signs 'historic' deal to acquire Israeli-made Arrow 3 system

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a media briefing at the State Department, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP)
Europe

'Never say never': Blinken on Biden-Putin meeting in the future

Plastic found in clouds may contaminate everything we consume
US & Canada

Microplastics in clouds cause 'plastic rainfall', infect everything

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS