False claims about the death of Jonathan, a 193-year-old tortoise recognized as the planet’s oldest living land creature, spread across social media this week in what officials are calling an elaborate hoax.
The ancient Seychelles giant tortoise continues to move about — though at his characteristic leisurely pace — on St. Helena island, where he has lived for more than a century.
“It was a hoax,” stated Anne Dillon, the island’s communications director, when speaking with The Associated Press on Thursday. “I can just assure you that he is very much alive.”
False information about Jonathan’s passing began circulating widely on Wednesday across various social platforms.
A fake social media profile, pretending to represent Joe Hollins, a veterinarian who has previously cared for the ancient reptile on the remote Atlantic island located between Africa and Brazil, posted emotional news of the supposed death. The fraudulent message described Jonathan as a “gentle giant” that had “outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans.”
The deceptive post garnered close to 2 million views by Thursday, with most responses expressing grief and sympathy.
However, Hollins clarified on Facebook that he maintains no presence on X and warned of criminal intent behind the false announcement.
“There is a hoax — not even an April Fool — going around,” Hollins explained in his post. “The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con.”
According to Guinness World Records, Jonathan holds the distinction of being both the oldest living land creature and the oldest tortoise in recorded history. Experts estimate he was approximately 50 years old when he arrived at St. Helena in 1882.
Government officials from St. Helena provided a photograph captured Thursday showing Jonathan wandering around the governor’s official residence grounds. The island gained historical significance as Napoleon Bonaparte’s final place of exile after his military defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The former French emperor passed away there in 1821, roughly a decade before Jonathan is thought to have begun his remarkably extended existence.
