Jonathan, the oldest living land animal, celebrated his 190 year birthday in this year at his home on the south Atlantic island of St.Helena. Jonathan now owns a Guinness world record title, Oldest Chelonian. Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), also known as the Seychelles domed giant tortoise.
Tu’i Malila, radiated tortoise was the previous oldest Chelonian, and it lived 188 years with the Royal family of Tonga and died in 1965.
Actually, nobody knows Jonathan’s birth year exactly, but he is believed to have been born in 1832.
Jonathan was born in Seychelles and came to St.Helena as a gift to Sri William Grey Wilson in 1882. So maybe Jonathan is older than we think. Sri William Grey Wilson later became the governor of the island, and Jonathan has been with 31 governors so far.
Jonathan has lived through many historical events. Such as,
1837 – Victora became Queen of Great Britain at the age of 18, and she died in 1901
1838 – the first photograph of a person was taken
1840 – New Zealand was founded
1859 – Construction of Big Ben was completed.
1876 – the first telephone call was made.
1878 – the first incandescent light bulb was invented.
1886 – Construction of the statue of liberty and Coca Cola was developed.
1887 – the completion of the Eiffel tower.
1912 – Sinking of the Titanic.
1914 to 1918 – World War 1.
1939 to 1945 – World War 11.
1969 – the first steps of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon.
The world has changed all these years, but our friend Jonathan is not interested in human activities. He likes only sleeping, eating, mating. His favourite foods are Cucumber, Cabbage and Carrot.
So, we wish Jonathan good health and long life !!
You can read an article about Abraham Lincoln.
