Jonathan, a huge tortoise from the Seychelles given to Saint Helena in 1882, is also the oldest known living land animal...
Digital Desk: Jonathan, the Seychelles big tortoise, is set to celebrate his 190th birthday with a three-day feast this weekend. He has been a member of Saint Helena since 1882, when he was given to the small south Atlantic island's governor as a gift.
He has won awards from the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest living land animal and the oldest chelonian (a group that includes tortoises, turtles, and terrapins) ever recognised.
He has also been the centre of romantic intrigue: in 1991, Jonathan was given a partner after a period of aggravation, and the two of them joyfully grew close. But 26 years later, it became clear why there weren't any children since his passionate companion, Frederica, was male upon closer scrutiny.
In addition to being a well-known attraction, Jonathan has appeared on the reverse of the local five-pence coin, making him somewhat of a local celebrity.
Jonathan has long been wrinkled, but he is also blind from cataracts and has lost his ability to smell. Although his exact birth date is unknown, it is believed he was born 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," according to 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 technological era.
The three-day celebration will begin at the governor's residence on Friday and feature an animated documentary about his life and a tortoise-friendly "birthday cake," will be presented among the other attractions.
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