PM Narendra Modi Meets Jonathan, the World’s Oldest Living Land Animal, During Seychelles Visit

Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Jonathan who is the world’s oldest living land animal during his official state visit to Seychelles National Botanical Gardens on 28th June, 2026. The meeting was formed part of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Seychelles and he attended the country’s National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour and also commemorated the 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.

PM Modi Visits Seychelles National Botanical Gardens

One of the major highlights of Prime Minister Modi’s Seychelles visit was his tour of the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, which is one of the country’s most renowned conservation sites.

During the visit, the Prime Minister.

• Met Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal.
• Planted a tree as a symbol of the environmental conservation.
• Also highlighted the importance of the sustainable development.

Who Is Jonathan Tortoise?

Jonathan belongs to the species of the Seychelles giant tortoise which is one of the largest tortoise species in the world.

He currently resides on the Saint Helena it is a British Overseas Territory that is located in the South Atlantic Ocean.

According to the records, Jonathan was born around the year 1832 and making him significantly older than many famous landmarks and historical events.

When Jonathan was born the modern world looked vastly different as the railways were still developing and many nations yet to gain independence.

His remarkable age has also earned him the recognition from Guinness World Records as the oldest known living land animal on Earth.

A Living Witness to History

Jonathan’s lifespan spans an astonishing period of the human history.

During his lifetime, he has witnessed the,

• The reign of the multiple British monarchs
• The Victorian era
• The construction of the Eiffel Tower
• The building of Tower Bridge in London
• The invention of the automobiles and airplanes
• The advent of computers and the internet
• Modern advances in medicine and space exploration

His life serves as the unique reminder of how dramatically the world has changed over the past two centuries.

How Is Jonathan Still Alive at 194?

One of the most intriguing questions which surrounds the Jonathan is how he has managed to live for the nearly 200 years.

Veterinarians on St Helena reports that despite his advanced age, Jonathan remains in a relatively good health.

Although he has lost his sense of the smell and now experiences age-related limitations but he continues to enjoy a healthy appetite and he remains active within his habitat.

Scientists believes that there are several factors may contribute to the exceptional longevity of giant tortoises,

• Slow Metabolism
• Low Stress Lifestyle
• Efficient Biological Systems
• Genetic Advancements

Tree Plantation Highlights

Alongside meeting with Jonathan, Prime Minister Modi has also planted a tree at the botanical gardens.

The symbolic plantation reflects India’s emphasis on the,

• Environmental conservation.
• Climate resilience.
• Sustainable development.
• Biodiversity protection.
• Global cooperation on climate action.

The gesture also aligns with several environmental initiatives promoted by the India which includes the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the nationwide Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.