Jonathan: Oldest tortoise wey don dey di world for 193 years

Jonathan, di oldest land tortoise for di world, still dey healthy despite him old age and e dey help scientists sabi more about how long tortoises fit live.

Dem born am for 1832 for Seychelles, one island wey people dey travel go for Africa.

E celebrate 193rd birthday on 4 December 2025. Na no be only birthday — na proof say e be di oldest land animal wey dem don ever get, and Guinness World Records don officially recognise am.

Right now Jonathan dey live for Saint Helena, one British territory for di South Atlantic, near di south-east coast of Angola and Namibia wey be di closest countries.

Di story of im life for di remote island start for 1882, wen British colonial officials carry am and some other tortoises come — e be around 50 years old then.

Sins den e don dey live for di Governor's Farm, and e turn one popular tourist attraction.

Di long life wey Jonathan don live don span eight British monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, and cover 40 US presidents.

Even though people dey estimate him age, for November 2022 di government of Saint Helena officially declare say 4 December 1832 na im birthdate.

Tortoises na one of di animals wey dey live long for dis world. Di giant Seychelles tortoises get average life of about 150 years, and from 50 years dem dey consider dem as mature.

Even though age don make am lose im sight and im sense of smell, im spirit never weak.

Under di care of veterinarians, dem dey give am good nutritious food like fruits and vegetables wey fit support im health.

Jonathan popular and well-loved; dem don put im picture for Saint Helena money and for di island emblem.

Every year officials dey celebrate im birthday and dem dey cut cake wey appropriate for a tortoise.

For this changing world, Jonathan don become living history — one humble slow animal wey show resilience, and e still dey represent calm life, grazing and how time dey pass slowly.