Meet Jonathan the Giant Tortoise, estimated to be 184 years old, he’s the world’s oldest known living land animal and, until just a few days ago, he may also have been the dirtiest. It seems the supreme elder Seychelles giant tortoise had never had a bath.
Jonathan lives on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He lives at Plantation House, also the official residence of the Governor. Here you can see a photo of Jonathan on Saint Helena in 1902 beside a photo taken just last year:
We should all look so good at nearly two centuries old! Jonathan has lost his vision to cataracts and can no longer smell, but otherwise he’s doing well and is cared for by island veterinarian Dr. Joe Hollins. And now, also thanks to Dr. Hollins, Jonathan has just had his very first bath. The geriatric tortoise’s shell received a gentle, but thorough washing in preparation for a Royal Visit in May.
Consider how much has happened around the world over the last two centuries and then watch this video to see how 200 years of grime were washed away:
