Top 5 Oldest Living Creatures in the World

(Photo : U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

1. Wisdom, the oldest banded bird

Age: 69+ years old

Wisdom was banded in 1956. Almost five decades later, she is still here, flapping her mighty wings and hatching eggs. She has logged at least three million flight miles, which is six times longer than our distance from the moon.

But the flight distance is not the only record she broke. Before confirming her age, wildlife biologists believe that her species, Laysan albatross, can only live up to 40 years.

The granny bird belongs to the largest albatross colony on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge located in Hawaii. She has survived multiple tsunamis and has hatched at least 40 eggs in the island.

Because of her amazing survival skills, she becomes a renowned symbol of hope for all species which survival depends on the ocean. 

(Photo : Guinness World Book of Record)

2. Jonathan, the tortoise who had witnessed both of the world wars

Age: 187 years old

Jonathan was born at Seychelles in the Indian Ocean in 1832, five years before Queen Victoria rose to power. Then, in 1882, he was moved to St. Helena, a small island located in the South Atlantic, as a gift to the then-governor. He still resides on the same island and enjoys the company of other great tortoises and some human guests.

Jonathan's actual identification is still in question but the scientists have suspected that he is a rare subspecies of Seychelles giant tortoise. 

Now considered as the oldest animal alive, Jonathan has witnessed the two world wars, the Russian revolution, and the ascension of seven British monarchs and 39 US presidents to power. 

(Photo : Atlas Obscura)

3. The Thousand-Year Rose, the tough rose that survived a World War 2 bombing

Age: 1,200+ years old

The rose bush, which sometimes is called Rose of Hildesheim, towers at the side of Germany's Hildesheim Cathedral. It is believed that the rose was planted at the same time the cathedral was established in the early 9th century.

Since then, the rose bush suffered (and survived) multiple destructions, most notably during the Second World War when a bomb collapsed the cathedral. The plant was almost completely annihilated but new branches from the roots had grown and flourished. 

As of today, the plant bush is protected with iron fences, but tourists can visit it especially in late May and early June when the bush blossoms.

(Photo : Shuttershock)

4. Bodhi Tree, the offspring of the fig tree where Buddha became enlightened

Age: 2,300+ years old

Legend says that a then-prince Siddharta Gautama was meditating under a fig tree when he became enlightened. The portion of that tree was cut down and planted in Sri Lanka around 250 BCE. It has become known as the Sacred Bodhi Tree. 

More than two millennia later, the tree is still standing and has become a major pilgrimage spot among the Buddhist devotees.

Unfortunately, the tree has shown signs of deteriorating healths such as dead branches and fungal infection. Botanists are working hard to save it but a lot is still needed to be done. 

ALSO READ: Buddha's Skull Discovered in Ancient Crypt in China 

(Photo : Greece IS)

5. Olive Trees of Vouves, the living monument of Crete

Age: at least 3,000 years old

History said that the olive cultivation practice on Crete has started during the era of Minoan civilization, about three millennia ago. Olive oil is a staple item on the island and is considered as a sacred gift from the Gods. 

The ancient olive trees have been associated with countless legends and traditions. Because of this, they became considered as a natural heritage monument, in 1997 by the Secretary General of the Region of Crete.