Why travellers are flocking to see Jonathan, the 194-year-old tortoise – what’s special about him apart from his age |
While some tourist sites are known for their architectural beauty and some for their rich history, on Saint Helena, a tiny island of the South Atlantic Ocean, one of the most popular attractions is a giant tortoise living almost two centuries long life.Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, was nominated for the Guinness World Records Icons list for 2026. And the reason behind it is clear – being about 194 years old, Jonathan holds both the titles of the world’s oldest-known land animal and the world’s oldest turtle.Estimated to be born around 1832, Jonathan is much older than a lot of popular world landmarks. His age makes him older than the Victorian era, the Tower Bridge in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and even the Statue of Liberty in New York. At the time when Jonathan appeared on Earth, there were no photos taken yet and only the railways started to change people’s transport possibilities.Currently, Jonathan lives on Saint Helena, a remote British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. Known for its connection with Napoleon Bonaparte, who was imprisoned here in the last years of his life, Saint Helena became well-known for Jonathan, too.Jonathan the giant tortoise arrived on Saint Helena Island in 1882 and lives in the garden of Plantation House, which is the official home of the governor of Saint Helena Island. There, he lives with two other giant tortoises, eating grass and basking under the sun. However, despite his incredible age, the tortoise looks pretty healthy. Local veterinarians say that Jonathan has no sense of smell and poor eyesight; however, he continues to eat well and stay active. Scientists are interested in the giant tortoise because they study the DNA of this creature to understand the process of aging. It seems that cells of this animal age in a way different from how human cells do.Scientists hope that studying such long-lived animals will help them understand some processes of aging. But for the inhabitants of Saint Helena Island, “Jono” is not only a scientific specimen but also a beloved star and symbol of another epoch.Jonathan’s story is another example of how long giant tortoises live. Although there are several species of turtles that have been noted for their lifespan, there is no one who comes even close to Jonathan. He has experienced numerous transformations in technology, political, and societal aspects and still leads an unhurried and unshaken life that represents true strength and perseverance.In an age when travel often revolves around ticking famous landmarks off a list, Jonathan offers something more than that – he presents an opportunity to get acquainted with an organism that silently observed almost 200 years of events. Being introduced to the oldest terrestrial animal on the planet, visitors of Saint Helena get to understand that some of the most memorable tourist moments can be those spent with nature.
