{
  "id": 12679091,
  "title": "Jonathan, a 192-Year-Old Giant Tortoise, Holds Insights for Aging Well",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/jonathan-a-192-year-old-giant-tortoise-holds-insights-for-aging-well",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-07T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yale Environment 360",
    "slug": "yale-environment-360",
    "url": "https://e360.yale.edu/digest/jonathan-giant-tortoise-aging"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jonathan, a 192-year-old giant tortoise, is the oldest known living land animal. A new study reveals secrets to his extraordinary longevity. Born in 1832 on the Seychelles, Jonathan has lived on Saint Helena since 1882. He is roughly a century older than other Seychelles giant tortoises. Scientists analyzed his cheek scrapings and discovered that he possesses unusually advantageous genes. These genes not only promote good health but also resist aging by reducing inflammation, managing insulin levels, and preventing cancer. Additionally, Jonathan's genes excel at repairing themselves, according to research published in Science Advances. \"Nature has already solved the puzzle of aging in remarkable ways, and Jonathan's genome provides a blueprint for cellular resilience,\" explained lead author Stephen Clark, chief scientist at Kallel, a nonprofit focusing on longevity. As scientists uncover more about older animals, it becomes clear that they play vital roles in their ecosystems. Conservationists have traditionally focused on protecting younger animals, but research now shows that older animals hold valuable knowledge that aids survival, reproduction, and disease resistance. Ecologist Keller Kopf from Charles Darwin University emphasized that \"older animals play roles that are often invisible in simple population counts.\"",
  "summary": "At 192 years old, Jonathan the giant tortoise is the oldest known living land animal. A new study offers clues as to his incredible longevity. Read more on E360 →",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Scientific American",
        "title": "Scientists unlock the longevity secrets of 194-year-old Jonathan the giant tortoise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/scientists-unlock-the-longevity-secrets-of-194-year-old-jonathan-the",
        "published": "2026-10-07T18:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Science",
        "title": "Jonathan the giant tortoise, 194, offers up insight into secrets of longevity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/jonathan-the-giant-tortoise-194-offers-up-insight-into-secrets-of",
        "published": "2026-10-07T18:00:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "Scientists discover the genetic secrets that may have helped Jonathan the tortoise live to 194 years old",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/scientists-discover-the-genetic-secrets-that-may-have-helped-jonathan",
        "published": "2026-10-07T19:05:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}