A viral post on X claiming the world’s oldest living land animal had died sent shockwaves across the internet on April 1 — and turned out to be nothing more than a crypto scam.
Jonathan the Tortoise, a Seychelles giant tortoise who has lived on the island of Saint Helena since 1882, is “very much alive,” according to his veterinarian Joe Hollins and Nigel Phillips, the governor of Saint Helena.
The fake post was seen by at least two million people, according to The Guardian, and was picked up by major news outlets before the hoax was debunked.
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A user on X impersonated Hollins and posted a message announcing Jonathan had died at the age of 193.
“Heartbroken to share that our beloved Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, has passed away today peacefully on Saint Helena,” the post read, per The Guardian.
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The message continued: “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. 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.”
The post spread fast. Outlets including USA Today and the Daily Mail reported the news. Newsweek and The Guardian also picked up the story before the hoax was revealed.
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Some assumed the April 1 timing pointed to an April Fool’s joke. Hollins said it was something worse.
“I believe on X the person purporting to be me is asking for crypto donations, so it’s not even an April Fool joke. It’s a con,” Hollins said in an interview with USA Today published April 1.
Later that day, the real Hollins took to his Facebook account to set the record straight.
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“There is a hoax – not even an April Fool – going around in X with American spelling but using my name, saying Jonathan the Tortoise, the oldest living land animal, is dead. IT IS NOT TRUE,” he wrote.
“The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con. Please forward guys because this has spread. Even our researcher friends in the US unraveling his DNA have just sent condolences,” he added.
Saint Helena’s Governor Went Searching for Jonathan the Tortoise Following the Viral Hoax
Hollins wasn’t the only one shaken by the viral hoax. Phillips, the governor of Saint Helena, was getting ready for bed when he heard the news. He got up and went searching for Jonathan himself.
Phillips told The Guardian that the tortoise was “very much alive” and “asleep under a tree in the paddock.”
He then shared a statement on Jonathan’s behalf: “The report of my death was an exaggeration … Mark Twain, not Oscar Wilde. Jonathan would nonetheless have had the chance enjoy both their works in the original first editions.”
Jonathan the Tortoise Is the World’s Oldest Land Animal
Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise who lives on the grounds of the governor’s mansion on Saint Helena. He was brought to the island in 1882 as a gift to the governor and has lived there ever since.
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His exact age is unknown. The BBC estimates he was 50 years old when he arrived on the island, which would make him at least 194 years old.
The Guinness World Records dubbed him the “oldest-known living terrestrial animal” in 2019.
