The world's oldest turtle is bathed for the first time

Jonathan, a 184-year-old shallow tortoise, lives on St Helena Island, first bathed before meeting the British royal family.

Turtle Jonathan on St. Helena Island is 184 years old.(Photo: The Telegraph)

Dr. Joe Hollins, a veterinarian on St Helena's British island in the south of the Atlantic, cleans every piece of Jonathan, cleansing the black residue and bird droppings while the turtle relaxes the grass.

The doctor chose surgical surgery soap because it did not contain caustic chemicals. He also noted the gentle use of soft bristles and loofahs so as not to damage turtle shells. After bathing for Jonathan, Hollins realized the circles that the life span of the turtle shell had completely disappeared.

The hour-long cleaning session was not related to health reasons but was to prepare for a visit by a British royal member in May. This bathing activity took place just a few months after Jonathan was Caregivers take a high calorie diet especially because of concerns about its health weakening.

Veterinarian Hollins is bathing the turtle.(Photo: The Telegraph)

A gift for the island governor, Jonathan, 114 cm long and 60 cm high, 50 years old when he arrived in St Helena in the late 19th century.

According to Dr. Hollins, this is Jonathan's first bath. " It doesn't look young anymore, but its appearance is completely different after bathing. Its body color is much brighter and the rings on the shell almost disappear completely. In the past, caregivers Jonathan had The attitude is quite indifferent to turtles on the island, so this may be the first time it has been bathed after nearly two centuries, "Hollins said.

" We thoroughly scrubbed Jonathan in the hope that it would look perfect when he met the royal guest. It looked much cleaner and seemed to love taking a shower. Jonathan stood still like a statue when I showered him. Hope it won't have to wait another 185 years for the next bath , 'Hollins said.

According to Hollins, Jonathan seems to love bathing.(Photo: The Telegraph)

While living on St Helena Island, the turtle witnessed 28 British governors taking office and resigning. Throughout Jonathan's life, eight royal members from King George IV to Queen Elizabeth II were crowned and 51 British prime ministers took office at 10 Dawning Street, London. Today, Jonathan is living with four other giant turtles, David, Emma, ​​Frederika and Myrtle.

After the death of Harriet, a 175-year-old giant Galapagos turtle, in Australia in 2005, Jonathan was officially recognized as the longest living animal in the world on land .

Video introduction about turtle Jonathan.