7 of the Longest Living Animals on Earth

Photo by: Meghan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Asian Elephants - Average Life Span 60 Years

The average life span of the Asian elephant in the wild is a hearty 60 years, but according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest elephant ever was Lin Wang, a pachyderm who lived to 86 years of age. The Asian elephant died in 2003 at the Taipei Zoo in Taiwan, and his life wasn't all luxury and leisure: During World War II he carried

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Photo by: Meghan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Asian Elephants - Average Life Span 60 Years

The average life span of the Asian elephant in the wild is a hearty 60 years, but according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest elephant ever was Lin Wang, a pachyderm who lived to 86 years of age. The Asian elephant died in 2003 at the Taipei Zoo in Taiwan, and his life wasn't all luxury and leisure: During World War II he carried supplies through the jungles of Myanmar for the Japanese Army. In fact, Lin Wang was captured by the Chinese in 1943.

There are a few living Asian elephants who could outlive Lin Wang in a few decades. Ambika (pictured above) is about 64 years old and lives at the National Zoo. Another Asian elephant named

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