It was born shortly after Napoleon’s death and is now officially the oldest living land animal on the planet. Jonathan the Turtle turns nearly 190 years old on the island of Saint Helena, where the French Emperor died in exile in 1821.
Based on measurements of its shell, experts calculate that Jonathan was born around 1832, and fifty years later he was taken from his birthplace, the Seychelles, to remote British lands in the South Atlantic.
But his age is only an estimate: In 1882, St. A photo taken shortly after her arrival in Helena shows that she is already at least 50 years old, but certainly older.
St. Mary’s, where his birthday will be celebrated over the weekend with events, including the issuance of a special stamp. He is enjoying a comfortable retirement at the official residence of the Governor of Helena.
His image is already visible on 5-cent coins and stamps from the immigration office on this island of 4,500 inhabitants.
The celebrations conclude with a “birthday cake” made from Jonathan’s favorite foods on Sunday. He particularly likes carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, apples and pears, according to caregivers interviewed by AFP in 2017.
Despite her advanced age, having lost her sense of sight and smell, and keeping her hearing intact, she has a soft spot for the female tortoise, a young woman in her 50s named Emma.
“I regularly hear him play with Emma on the lawn. But I have to watch them when they act, because turtles can’t turn on their backs and never get up again. That wasn’t in my job description!” then Governor Lisa Phillips.
Earlier this year, Jonathan was awarded the title of the world’s oldest living land animal in the Guinness Book of Records, and this month he was also named the world’s oldest tortoise.
Joe Hollins, a retired veterinarian who is now Jonathan’s primary caregiver, said, “If you think he was born in 1832… God, the world has changed!” she exclaims.
“The world wars, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the governors, kings and queens that followed are phenomenal!” it lists.
Although they expect him to live for many years, St. Helena officials are already making plans for the venerable chelonian’s eventual demise: His shell will be preserved for future generations.
© Agence France-Presse
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.