Source: Times of India
Context
During his State Visit to Seychelles on 28 June 2026, PM Modi visited the Seychelles National Botanical Garden in Victoria, where he interacted with and fed native giant tortoises and planted a Coco de Mer palm sapling. The visit drew global attention to the Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) — particularly to Jonathan, the world’s oldest known living land animal at an estimated 194 years (as of 2026), recognised by Guinness World Records. Important: Jonathan does NOT live in Seychelles — he lives on the grounds of Plantation House (Governor’s Residence) on Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic — where he was brought from Seychelles in 1882 as a gift to the Governor (already “fully mature” at ~50 years, implying birth no later than 1832). On 17 June 2026, Guinness World Records designated Jonathan a “Guinness Icon”, joining the likes of John Cena and Shohei Ohtani. Giant tortoises function as ecosystem engineers in their native island habitats — clearing brush, dispersing seeds, modifying landscapes.
Who is Jonathan?
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) — sub-species of Aldabra giant tortoise |
| Estimated Birth | c. 1832 (Governor of Saint Helena assigned symbolic birthday: 4 December 1832) |
| Estimated Age (2026) | 194 years |
| Current Home | Plantation House (Governor’s Residence), Saint Helena (British Overseas Territory, South Atlantic) |
| Brought from Seychelles to St Helena | 1882 (at full maturity, ~50 years old) |
| Guinness Record | Oldest living land animal (since 2022, surpassing Tu’i Malila of Tonga who died in 1966 aged 189) |
| Guinness Icon Status | 17 June 2026 |
What is the Seychelles giant tortoise?
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aldabrachelys gigantea (Aldabra giant tortoise; Seychelles tortoise is a subspecies) |
| Habitat | Native to Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles (UNESCO WHS) — primary wild sanctuary |
| Wild Population | ~100,000+ on Aldabra Atoll |
| Weight | 250-350 kg (550-770 lbs) |
| Diet | Herbivorous — grasses, leaves, fruits, woody plants |
| Lifespan | Can exceed 150 years; among the longest-living animals |
| IUCN Status | Vulnerable |
| Schedule | CITES Appendix II |
| Role | Ecosystem engineers — clear brush, disperse seeds, modify habitat |
Other notable giant tortoises in history
| Tortoise | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adwaita | Aldabra giant tortoise that died at Alipore Zoological Gardens, Kolkata (2006) at estimated 255 years (unverified) |
| Tu’i Malila | Madagascar radiated tortoise that died in Tonga (1966) at 189 years |
| Lonesome George | Last Pinta Island tortoise (Galápagos), died June 2012 |
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to Jonathan the giant tortoise, consider the following statements:
- Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) estimated to be 194 years old in 2026.
- He has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living land animal.
- Jonathan currently lives on the grounds of Plantation House on Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic.
- Jonathan currently lives at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden in Victoria.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Jonathan lives on Saint Helena Island, NOT in Seychelles. He was brought to Saint Helena from Seychelles in 1882 and has lived there since.)
Q2. With reference to the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), consider the following statements:
- It is one of the largest reptiles on Earth and a herbivorous species.
- The Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the primary wild sanctuary, hosting approximately 100,000 individuals.
- It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- It is native to South America.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the Aldabra giant tortoise is native to the Indian Ocean (specifically Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles), NOT South America.)
Answer Key
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Jonathan lives on Saint Helena, not Seychelles.
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Native to Indian Ocean, not South America.
Exam Relevance
| Exam | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UPSC Prelims & Mains | High — GS-III (Environment, Biodiversity, Endangered Species) |
| State PCS | High — Environment, IUCN species |
| Forest Service (IFS/IFoS) | Critical — Direct subject — Giant tortoise, IUCN, Aldabra Atoll |
| RBI Grade B / NABARD | Low — General Awareness only |
| Banking (SBI PO, IBPS, RBI Assistant) | High — Current Affairs, world records |
| SSC, Railway, Insurance | Very High — Jonathan, Aldabra, IUCN, Guinness Icon |
