World’s oldest recorded tortoise prepares for 190th birthday party

Jonathan, Seychelles giant tortoise given to Saint Helena in 1882, is also oldest known living land animal

If there is a party animal at large this weekend, Jonathan is it: the Seychelles giant tortoise is about to celebrate his 190th birthday with a three-day bash.

Living on Saint Helena since 1882, when he arrived as a gift to the governor of the small south Atlantic island, he is no stranger to fame, having scooped awards from the Guinness World Records for being the oldest known living land animal and the oldest chelonian - an order comprising tortoises, turtles and terrapins - ever recorded.