the turtle jonathan It was born shortly after Napoleon’s death and is now officially the oldest living land animal on the planet. He turns 190 (roughly) on the island of Saint Helena, where the French emperor died in exile in 1821.
Experts according to the dimensions of the shell They estimate that Jonathan was born around 1832.. Fifty years after his birth, he was transferred from Seychelles, where he came from, to this remote British land in the South Atlantic.
But his age is only an estimate: a photo taken when he arrived in Santa Elena in 1882 shows he was already at least 50 years old at the time, though he’s definitely older, the AFP agency reported.
He now enjoys a comfortable retirement at the official residence of the governor of Santa Elena. There, his birthday was celebrated over the last weekend, by acts involving the issuance of a special seal.
His image is already visible on the 5-cent coins and immigration stamps of this island of 4,500 inhabitants.
The festivities ended with a “birthday cake” made from Jonathan’s favorite foods on Sunday. He particularly likes carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, apples and pears, according to caregivers AFP interviewed years ago.
50 year old loves tortoise
Despite his advanced age, having lost his sense of sight and smell, and having a healthy ear, A ‘young lady’ in her 50s has a preference for a female turtle named Emma.
“I regularly hear him playing with Emma on the grass. But when they do, I have to watch them because turtles can roll on their backs and never get up again,” said Governor Lisa Phillips.
Earlier this year, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Records title as the world’s oldest living land animal. And this month also named the oldest tortoise in history.
Although they hoped he would continue to live for many more years, Santa Elena officials have already made plans for the venerable chelonian’s eventual disappearance. Its bark will be preserved for future generations.
……
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]