Jonathan, the world's oldest known tortoise believed to be 193 years old, is still alive after reports of his death were revealed as part of an alleged crypto scam. The Seychelles giant tortoise resides on St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic.
Key Takeaways
Reports of Jonathan, the world's oldest known tortoise, being dead were revealed to be part of an alleged crypto scam. The 193-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise is alive and well on St. Helena Island.
- Reports of Jonathan's death spread rapidly on social media
- An X account impersonating his vet claimed he had died
- The real Joe Hollins confirmed it was a hoax and a crypto scam
- Governor Nigel Phillips verified that Jonathan is very much alive
The hoax began when an X account impersonating Joe Hollins, a vet who has cared for Jonathan, posted that the tortoise had died peacefully on the island according to HuffPost. The post quickly gained traction and was reported as fact by several media outlets including the BBC, USA Today, and Daily Mail.
The real Joe Hollins confirmed to multiple publishers that he does not have an X account and that Jonathan is very much alive. He also stated that the impostor was asking for cryptocurrency donations according to HuffPost. Nigel Phillips, the governor of St. Helena, verified Jonathan's well-being and even joked about the tortoise issuing a press statement similar to Mark Twain's famous quote.
Jonathan has lived on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of St. Helena since 1882 according to The Guardian. He is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest known land animal in the world and has outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans.
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