The Earth is home to several creatures, some of which hold an iconic reputation in the animal kingdom. From the heavy and dense forests of India to the serene islands of the South Atlantic Ocean, these animals have won the hearts and minds of people around the world. Among these extraordinary beings are elephants who have seen the changing times, tortoises that have lived through centuries, and birds that have soared the skies for decades. Each of these animals carry a story of adaptation and survival, proving their longevity on this ever changing, dynamic planet.
Vatsala the elephant
Vatsala the elephant
Vatsala is believed to be the oldest living elephant in the world. She resides at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. Estimated to be over 100 years old, she was born in the wild and has been a part of the reserve since 1993. Vatsala has lived a long life ferrying timber and tourists before retiring.
Jonathan the tortoise
Jonathan the tortoise
Jonathan is the oldest known living tortoise in the world, estimated to be around 191 years old. He resides on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean2. Jonathan was brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 and has lived through 31 governors’ terms.
Tara in Kipling Camp
Tara is another long living and gentle elephant. She lives in Kipling Camp in India. She has been the darling of the camp for decades. She was purchased by Anne and Belinda wright from the Sonepur animal fair. Then Mark Shand rescued her in 1988 from mistreatment. Shand also wrote a book of their famous trek named ”Travels on my elephant”.
Kalia gibbon in Assam
Kalia gibbon in Assam
Kalia, a female hoolock gibbon, was orphaned by poachers and taken in Ketetong , Assam. She was cared by Bhupeswar Ningda and was quite friendly to the villagers. In 2016, Kalia was tragically killed. She had gained celebrity status, attracting tourists, and protecting the fruit trees of the village from raiding monkeys.
Babiya the crocodile
Babiya, the sacred crocodile of the Sri Anandapadmanabha Swamy Temple in North Kerala, lived for 80 years and was considered a guardian by devotees. Believed to be vegetarian, he was fed temple offerings instead of fish. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he notably ventured into the temple premises, and protected the temple.
Ram and Shyam the famous lion duo
Ram and Shyam, the iconic lion brothers from Gir Forest, had a majestic presence. Ram, the elder, lived up to a massive 16 years, way beyond the average wild lions which ranges between 14-15 yeras . Raised alongside Maldhari pastoral communities, these lions became favourites among tourists and photographers.
Saya the black panther
Saya the black panther
Saya, the rare black panther of Kabini in Karnataka’s Nagarhole National Park, is popular for his elusiveness and attractive appearance. Saya was first spotted around 2014-2015. His melanistic coat and piercing yellow eyes have captivated the wildlife enthusiasts and photographers and earned him the nickname “The Ghost of Kabini.”
Cassius the captive crocodile
Cassius the captive crocodile
The title of the world’s largest captive crocodile goes to Cassius. The resident of Australia, over 5 meters in length, is one impressive specimen. Although his exact age remains unknown, Cassius still grows under the care of his keepers.
Wisdom the old albatross
Wisdom the old albatross
Wisdom is a female Laysan albatross, estimated to be around 72 or 73 years old. She was first spotted in 1956 and continues to return to the same breeding grounds in the Northwester Hawaiian Islands each year. Wisdom has likely travelled millions of miles during her long life.
Koi
Koi are one of theoldest living fishes
Koi are domesticated varieties of the common carp, they are characteristically known for their vibrant colours and long lifespans. While their average lifespan is about 30 years, some koi have been known to live much longer. One famous koi in Japan reached the age of 226, making it one of the oldest known koi in the world.
