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Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, is still alive – contrary to an alleged crypto scam that claimed otherwise.
The 193-year-old tortoise is still kicking – albeit slowly – on the island of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Rumours of the Seychelles giant tortoise’s demise spread rapidly on social media on April Fool’s Day.
A fraudulent X account, falsely claiming to be veterinarian Joe Hollins, announced the death of the “gentle giant” who “outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans”.
“As his vet for many years, it was an honour to care for him – hand-feeding bananas, watching him bask in the sun and marvelling at his quiet wisdom,” the post said.
“He leaves behind a legacy of resilience and longevity that inspired millions. Rest easy, old friend. You’ll be missed more than words can say.”
Jonathan the Tortoise, who hatched in the Georgian era, is the oldest known living land animal on Earth
The post garnered nearly two million views.
Anne Dillon, St Helena’s head of communications, confirmed the reports were a hoax, assuring that “he is very much alive”.
Mr Hollins himself later clarified on Facebook that he does not even have an X account and said a sinister motive was at play.
“There is a hoax – not even an April Fool – going around,” he wrote. “The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con.”
Guinness World Records lists Jonathan as the oldest living land animal and oldest tortoise.
This historical photo taken in the late 1800s shows Jonathan, left, with another tortoise, now deceased (Courtesy of Joe Hollins)
He was about 50 when he was brought to St Helena from the Seychelles as a gift in 1882. He continues to roam the grounds of the governor’s residence, Plantation House.
Governor Nigel Phillips told the Guardian that he was getting ready for bed on Wednesday night when he began receiving worried messages about the tortoise, and went to check on him.
“Jonathan is asleep under a tree in the paddock,” he told the paper.
St Helena, a 47-square-mile island, is part of the territory that includes Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is renowned for being the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile after his 1815 defeat at the Battle of Warterloo.
The former French emperor died there in 1821, a decade before Jonathan is believed to have taken his first steps.
