World’s oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, dies aged 193

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Anna Lamche

PA Media

Jonathan is thought to have hatched almost 200 years ago and lived through the reigns of eight British monarchs

The world’s oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, has died at an estimated age of 193, the vet who cared for him has said.

“Heartbroken to share that our beloved Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, has passed away today peacefully on St Helena”, Joe Hollins wrote on social media late on Wednesday.

“This gentle giant outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans,” Hollins said of his long-time charge, who is thought to have hatched around the year 1832.

He spent most of his life on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, where he met Queen Elizabeth II, as well the Duke of Edinburgh and House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Hollins said in his statement: "As his vet for many years, it was an honour to care for him - hand-feeding bananas, watching him bask in the sun, and marvelling at his quiet wisdom.

“He leaves behind a legacy of resilience and longevity that inspired millions. Rest easy, old friend. You’ll be missed more than words can say.”

PA Media

Jonathan met the future Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 on St Helena, a British overseas territory

Jonathan’s exact age is unknown, but a photograph taken in 1882 shows that he was fully grown when he was first brought to the island - where he lived on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of St Helena.

Experts say this suggests he was about 50 years old by that time.

Jonathan lived through the reigns of eight British monarchs and met both George VI and the future Elizabeth II during their visit to the island in 1947.

The giant tortoise met Sir Lindsay in 2024, when he was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate recognising him as the oldest known land animal in the world.

At the time, Hollins said that although Jonathan had lost his sense of smell and his sight, he still appeared to be very happy and healthy.

Joe Hollins

Joe Hollins with Jonathan, whom he described as “a 450lb (200kg) crusty old reptile that I’m very fond of”, in a 2016 BBC interview

World’s oldest living land animal meets Speaker

The vet, the tortoise and the airport

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Tortoises