On Saturday 19 March 2016, an historic event took place in the grounds of Plantation House, St Helena Island. Jonathan the Giant Tortoise the oldest known living land animal on Earth and creakingly old national treasure at an estimated age of 184 years was washed for the first time in recorded history by vet Dr Joe Hollins. Joe explained that the reason for bathing Jonathan came after he cleaned and transformed the shell of one of the female tortoises at Plantation House. Joe consulted a tortoise specialist to establish the method of cleaning, which includes gentle, circular scrubbing using nonabrasive materials.
Filmed and Edited: Kimberley Yon Roberts (SHG's Press Office)