Jonathan the Tortoise Still Alive at 193 After Hoax

A fake social media post claiming the world's oldest tortoise had died turned out to be nothing more than a crypto scam, and Jonathan is still happily munching away on St. Helena island.

The hoax fooled major news outlets including the BBC, USA Today, and Daily Mail after a fake account impersonating Joe Hollins, Jonathan's longtime veterinarian, posted that the beloved tortoise had passed away. The scammer even asked for cryptocurrency donations, making the con particularly cruel to concerned animal lovers worldwide.

Both the real Joe Hollins and Nigel Phillips, the governor of St. Helena, quickly confirmed that Jonathan is very much alive. The giant tortoise continues to live on the grounds of Plantation House, where he's resided for over 140 years.

Jonathan's exact age remains a mystery, but experts have pieced together his remarkable timeline. A photograph from 1882 shows him fully grown when he first arrived at the island, suggesting he was already about 50 years old by then.

Jonathan the Tortoise Still Alive at 193 After Hoax

That means Jonathan has witnessed history most of us only read about in books. He's lived through the reigns of at least eight British monarchs and even met King George VI and the future Queen Elizabeth II during their 1947 visit to St. Helena.

In 2024, Jonathan received official recognition as the oldest known land animal in the world with a Guinness World Record certificate. At an estimated 193 years old, this 450-pound reptile has outlived generations of humans who've cared for him.

Sunny's Take

Sometimes the best news is that nothing changed at all. While the hoax caused brief sadness, the truth sparked joy across the internet as people celebrated Jonathan's continued survival. His caretakers on St. Helena remain devoted to ensuring he lives out his days in comfort, however many more years that might be.

In a world that moves faster every day, there's something deeply comforting about a tortoise who just keeps going, outlasting empires, technologies, and even internet scammers trying to exploit his fame.