01/13/2026
Jonathan is the world’s oldest known living land animal, a giant tortoise estimated to be around 192 years old. Born in the early 1830s, Jonathan has lived through the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, and the rise of the modern world, all while remaining on the remote island of Saint Helena, where he resides today. Despite his age, he continues to eat, rest in the sun, and move slowly through his enclosure, cared for by veterinarians and conservationists. Though he has lost his sense of smell and most of his eyesight, Jonathan’s long life stands as a remarkable example of longevity in the animal kingdom and a living link to nearly two centuries of history.
