Jonathan the Tortoise Is ‘Very Much Alive’ After Crypto-Fueled Death Hoax Fooled Millions
“The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con. Please forward guys because this has spread.”
What appeared to be devastating news from the animal kingdom sent shockwaves across the internet on April 1—but it was all a scam.
Jonathan the Tortoise, widely recognized as the world’s oldest living land animal, is not dead. His veterinarian, Joe Hollins, confirmed the beloved creature is “very much alive” after a fraudulent post on X falsely announced the tortoise’s passing.
Jonathan the Tortoise was involved in a crypto scam
The trouble began when a user on X, impersonating Hollins, posted an emotional tribute claiming 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 X post read, per The Guardian.
“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 continued.
The post was seen by at least two million people, according to The Guardian. The false news was subsequently picked up by various outlets, including USA Today, Daily Mail, Newsweek and The Guardian.
But this was no innocent prank. While some might assume the timing on April 1 meant it was an April Fool’s joke, Hollins pointed to something more sinister.
“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.
“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.
The death hoax results in a late night search
Hollins was not the only one rattled by the viral hoax. Nigel Phillips, the governor of Saint Helena, was getting ready for bed when he heard the news. Phillips got up and began searching for Jonathan.
He told The Guardian that the tortoise was “very much alive” and “asleep under a tree in the paddock.”
Phillips 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.”
Who is Jonathan the Tortoise?
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.
His exact age is unknown, but the BBC estimates that he was 50 years old when he arrived, which would make him at least 194 years old if true.
The Guinness World Records dubbed him the “oldest-known living terrestrial animal” in 2019.
The episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread online—and how scammers exploit public affection for beloved figures, even when those figures happen to be tortoises.
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