Jonathan the Giant Tortoise is the oldest living land animal on Earth (Picture: PA)
A Giant Tortoise who has lived through two World Wars is celebrating his 190th birthday.
Jonathan the Seychelles Giant Tortoise is the oldest known living land mammal on Earth and hatched in the early 1800s.
Since 1882 he has lived on St Helena – an island situated in the midst of the South Atlantic Ocean.
He lives alongside three much younger tortoises whose names are David, Emma and Fred.
To celebrate the incredible milestone, the island’s residents have come together to honour Jonathan’s birthday – and celebrations will continue over the next three days.
Celebrations will include a display of a range of posters celebrating Jonathan’s life, bearing pictures and messages from those who have visited him over the years.
On Saturday, a series of activities honouring his birthday will include a chat with the governor and his wife as they feed Jonathan his favourite vegetables.
The event will be live streamed online across the world so anyone can join in with the fun.
Jonathan was born in the early 1800s and has lived through centuries of history (Picture: St Helena Island/SWNS)
Jonathan first arrived on St Helena in 1882 (Picture: PA)
He will have a three day birthday bash to celebrate the incredible milestone (Picture: PA)
Then on Sunday, an animated video and song dedicated to celebrating Jonathan’s life will premiere and he will be given a ‘birthday cake’ – made entirely out of his favourite healthy foods.
A special stamp will also be on sale alongside other memorabilia which islanders will be able to win during novelty tortoise-themed games.
His age is an estimation based upon shell measurements documented from a photo taken shortly after his arrival to St Helena.
The photo shows he was fully mature and at least 50 years old when he arrived from Seychelles – although he might be even older.
Joe Hollins cared for Jonathan when he worked as St Helena’s vet and although now retired, he still helps the tortoise.
Joe Hollins proudly looks after Jonathan even in his years of retirement (Picture: PA)
Jonathan proudly stands on St Helena, a place he has called home since 1882 (Picture: PA)
He said: ‘When you think, if he was hatched in 1832 – the Georgian era – my goodness, the changes in the world.
‘The world wars, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the many governors, kings and queens that have passed, it’s quite extraordinary.
‘And he’s just been here, enjoying himself.’
This year, Jonathan achieved the Guinness World Records title for the world’s oldest living land animal and this month, he has also been named as the oldest tortoise ever.
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Joe said it has been a ‘privilege’ to look after the elderly animal, who he described as ‘magnificent’.
‘I do think he’s fabulous actually, he’s a great animal,’ he said.
‘And as a vet – what greater privilege is there than to be looking after the oldest known living land animal in the world? I mean, how often does that happen?
‘It is such a privilege to be able to care for this magnificent animal.’
On average, Giant Tortoise live to the age of between 80 and 120 years.
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Jonathan the Seychelles Giant Tortoise is the oldest known living land mammal on Earth and hatched in the early 1800s.
