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
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan's Age | Broad Agreement | 193 years old, believed to be the world's oldest tortoise. | |
| Location Of Jonathan | Broad Agreement | Lives on St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic. | |
| Hoax Details | Broad Agreement | Imposter X account asked for crypto donations. | |
| Jonathan's Health | Broad Agreement | Blind from cataracts, lost sense of smell, strong appetite. |
Jonathan's Age
Broad Agreement193 years old, believed to be the world's oldest tortoise.
Location Of Jonathan
Broad AgreementLives on St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic.
Hoax Details
Broad AgreementImposter X account asked for crypto donations.
Jonathan's Health
Broad AgreementBlind from cataracts, lost sense of smell, strong appetite.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
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.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.