Oldest Living Creature on Earth Is a Tortoise Named Harriet

The world's oldest living creature is a tortoise named Harriet, who is estimated to be around 182 years old. She was born in 1832 and lives on the Island of St. Helena, which is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Harriet was given to British ambassador Sir Charles Elliot as a gift by the French consul on the island. She has been passed down through several generations of Elliot family members and is now owned by Dr. David Wilkes.

Wilkes has been taking care of Harriet for the past 20 years and says she is in good health for her age. She still has all her teeth and can move around well. In fact, she often climbs out of her pond to eat plants and bask in the sun.

Harriet's long life is a testament to the health benefits of a plant-based diet. She has never been fed any animal products and instead relies on a diet of fresh vegetables and fruits. This makes her an inspiration to people everywhere who are looking to improve their health by eating more plants.

Tortoises Are the New Pandas—and They're Going Extinct

Tortoises are the new pandas. They may not be as cuddly and popular as the bamboo-munching bears, but they're in just as much trouble. A recent study published in the journal Science Advances warns that climate change is putting the world's tortoises and turtles at risk of extinction.

The study found that up to one-third of all the world's turtles and tortoises are at risk of becoming extinct in the next century, thanks to a warming planet and threats from habitat loss, hunting, and vehicle collisions.

"This is a huge wakeup call," said study co-author Dr. Mickey Agha of Stony Brook University. "We need to do more to save these animals."

Turtles and tortoises play important roles in their ecosystems, helping to disperse seeds and keep populations of their prey healthy. They are also popular pets, trading for high prices on the black market. All of this makes them tempting targets for hunters and poachers.

In addition to climate change, turtles and tortoises face other dangers including:

• Loss of wetland habitat due to development or drought;

• Being hit by cars while crossing roads; UK with 50 different species of native reptile - 6 of which are critically endangered Credit -123rf com/Alhaja Zainab Sheriffah Abdulrazaq

• Collection for food or traditional medicine;

• Introduction of invasive predators such as rats, dogs, or cats; and

• Egg poaching for the exotic pet trade.

Turtles and tortoises can live for many years, making it difficult for them to recover from population declines. Some species have already gone extinct in recent years, including two types of sea turtles in Oceania and a freshwater turtle in Central America. The majestic Galapagos giant tortoise is down to just 2,000 individuals from a population of 20,000 a few decades ago. And if current trends continue, many more will soon follow suit.

Conservation Groups Team Up to Save World's Largest Tortoise

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, conservation groups from around the world have come together to save the world's largest tortoise.

The giant tortoise, which can weigh up to 800 pounds and live for more than a hundred years, is threatened by deforestation and poaching.

"This is a crisis that requires a global response," said conservationist Alex Byers. "If we don't act now, we could see this magnificent creature disappear forever."

The groups have formed a task force to develop a conservation plan for the tortoises. One priority is to create protected areas where they can live safely.

"We need to do everything we can to save these animals," said Byers. "They are an important part of our natural heritage."

Racing Extinction: The Race to Save the Giant Tortoise

The Western Ghats of India are a biodiversity hotspot, teeming with wildlife including the endangered giant tortoise. Once numbering in the millions, there are now only a few thousand of these animals left in the wild.

Racing extinction is an important new documentary from director Louie Psihoyos (The Cove) that highlights the race to save the giant tortoise. The film follows conservationists trying to protect these animals from extinction, as well as the efforts to create awareness about their plight.

One of the main threats to the giant tortoise is habitat destruction. As forests are cleared for development, the tortoises lose their homes and food sources. They are also vulnerable to poaching, as their shells are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

There are several initiatives underway to save the giant tortoise, including breeding programs and protected areas. Racing Extinction shines a spotlight on these efforts and calls for increased awareness and support for these animals.

Watch This Brave Tortoise Take on a Lion

In what has to be one of the bravest displays of animal behavior ever caught on camera, a tortoise is seen fighting off a lion in an epic battle. The unlikely pair become locked in combat, each determined to come out on top.

The lion appears to be initially getting the best of the tortoise, toppling it onto its back and attacking its soft underside. However, the tortoise soon rallies and begins to fight back with surprising vigor, using its powerful front legs to push the lion away.

As onlookers watch in amazement, the two animals continue to exchange blows until finally the lion seems to give up, slinking away from the scene with its tail between its legs. The tortoise is left victorious, proving that even the smallest creatures can stand up to the biggest predators when they need to.