Officially designated as December 4, 1834, though birth year uncertain
Hometown is Seychelles... Resided on Saint Helena Island since 1882
Island-wide residents to hold a grand three-day birthday celebration
The world's oldest land tortoise, 'Jonathan,' living at the governor's residence on the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena Island. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A three-day birthday celebration for 'Jonathan,' the oldest known living land animal turtle, will be held on Saint Helena Island.
According to a report by the British Guardian on the 2nd (local time), Jonathan's birthday celebration will be grandly held over three days from the 2nd to the 4th on Saint Helena Island, a British territory in the South Atlantic where Jonathan lives. Jonathan, a male, is a Seychelles giant tortoise, an endangered species. Although the exact date of birth is unknown, it is estimated to have hatched around 1832 based on shell measurement records and other data.
Jonathan's hometown is the Seychelles Islands, his place of origin. Seychelles giant tortoises become adults at a minimum age of 50, and Jonathan was already an adult in 1882 when he was relocated to Saint Helena Island along with three other tortoises. They were sent as a gift to the island's governor at the time. Since then, Jonathan has lived continuously at the 'Plantation House,' the residence of the governor of Saint Helena Island. Nigel Phillips, the current governor who rules Saint Helena Island on behalf of the British monarch, declared last month that December 4, 1834, would be Jonathan's official birthday. Accordingly, Governor Phillips and his wife Emma plan to host Jonathan's birthday party.
Jonathan is a 'celebrity' on Saint Helena Island. According to Jonathan's introduction on the Saint Helena Island official website, meeting Jonathan is listed as one of the '20 things to do on Saint Helena Island.' Jonathan's image is also featured on the reverse side of the local 5 pence coin. Additionally, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Record as the 'longest-living tortoise,' encompassing both sea and land tortoises.
As this is a birthday party held once every 190 years, the event will be grand. Residents from across the island will gather for the three-day celebration, and a 'turtle-friendly' birthday cake will be prepared. The party begins at the governor's residence, where guests will enjoy a simple meal and conversation with Governor Phillips and his wife Emma, as well as watch an animated video about Jonathan's life. Attendees of the celebration will receive special certificates and can purchase Jonathan-themed stamps.
Jonathan's attending veterinarian, Joe Hollins, stated, "Despite his age, Jonathan still has a vigorous libido, frequently mating with the female tortoise Emma and occasionally with the male tortoise Fred." Because of this, there were past reports labeling Jonathan as a 'gay tortoise,' but Hollins dismissed these reports, saying, "Animals are often not sensitive to gender."
Saint Helena Island is well known as the place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, who was banished here after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. However, Napoleon died decades before Jonathan arrived on the island.
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