Summary (tl;dr)

Reports circulating online about the death of Jonathan the tortoise, the world's oldest known living land animal, are false and originated from a social media hoax. Jonathan is confirmed to be alive and well.

Essential Background

Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) estimated to be around 193 to 194 years old, making him the oldest known living land animal and the oldest chelonian ever recorded. He was brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882, already fully mature at an estimated 50 years old. For over a century, Jonathan has resided on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of Saint Helena, where he is cared for by the government.

The Full Story

Keywords related to "Jonathan tortoise death" are trending due to a widespread hoax that falsely reported the venerable tortoise's passing. On April 1, 2026, an X (formerly Twitter) account, impersonating Jonathan's long-time veterinarian Joe Hollins, announced that the 193-year-old tortoise had died peacefully. This fake announcement quickly gained traction, with several media outlets initially reporting the news. However, the reports were swiftly debunked by a spokesperson for the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, who confirmed that Jonathan is "alive and well." The real Joe Hollins also clarified that he does not have an X account and that the post was a "con" attempting to solicit cryptocurrency donations. Governor Nigel Phillips of Saint Helena personally checked on Jonathan to confirm his well-being.

Why It Matters

Jonathan the tortoise holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest living land animal and is a symbol of incredible longevity and resilience, captivating people worldwide. The false reports of his death highlight the significant impact of misinformation and scams on social media, even concerning beloved public figures like Jonathan. The global interest in his welfare underscores his status as a living link to a distant past, having lived through numerous historical events and generations of humans.

Geographic Location

• Plantation House, Saint Paul's District, Saint Helena (residence and care of Jonathan the tortoise)