New Books Network The Vet at the End of the Earth: Adventures with Animals in the South Atlantic
Mar 5, 2026
Dr. Jonathan Hollins, a veteran veterinary surgeon who has spent decades caring for animals across remote South Atlantic islands. He recounts tending a 200-year-old tortoise, relocating reindeer, daring field surgeries, and battling invasive species. Short, vivid tales of rugged travel, island lifelines, and the unusual logistics of animal care in extreme, isolated places.
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Rescuing Jonathan The 200-Year-Old Tortoise
- Jonathan Hollins rushed to Plantation House believing Jonathan the tortoise was dead after a jogger reported him sprawled on the lawn.
- He found Jonathan alive, later hand-fed him weekly to restore weight and beak condition, reviving the 192+ year-old tortoise.
Tortoise Genomes Reveal Quasi Immortality Clues
- Giant tortoises show strong genomic repair mechanisms, including telomere and methylation resilience that may underlie cancer resistance.
- Vanderbilt researchers mapped Jonathan's genome and are studying his species' quasi-immortality for insights into aging and cancer.
Train Students To Do Diagnostics By Hand
- Prepare students for limited diagnostics in remote practice and train them to perform basic lab work themselves.
- Hollins teaches worm egg counts, blood smears, and fine needle aspirates so trainees can diagnose without quick lab turnarounds.
