Is Jonathan the Tortoise Dead? Fact Check Debunks the Death Hoax Going Viral on Social Media

Mumbai, April 2: Government officials on the island of Saint Helena and the spokesperson of the British Overseas Territories have confirmed that Jonathan the tortoise, the world's oldest known living land animal, is alive and in good health following a viral death hoax on Wednesday, April 1. The misinformation, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, was traced back to a fraudulent X (formerly Twitter) account posing as Jonathan's longtime veterinarian to solicit cryptocurrency donations.

The Anatomy of the Hoax About Jonathan the Tortoise

The rumour gained traction on April 1, 2026, when an account using the handle @JoeHollinsVet, impersonating veterinarian Joe Hollins, posted a message claiming the 193-year-old tortoise had "passed away peacefully". The post included an emotional tribute, noting that the "gentle giant outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans". Jonathan The Turtle Turns 190, Becomes World's Oldest Living Animal On Earth! (Watch Video).

Jonathan Is Alive and Well, Confirms Spokesperson of British Overseas Territories

The fake account, which reportedly changed its username and biography shortly before the announcement, began directing followers to a cryptocurrency wallet for "memorial donations". Several major news outlets briefly picked up the report before the Governor of Saint Helena, Nigel Phillips, issued a formal denial.

Nigel Phillips Confirms That Jonathan the Tortoise Is Alive and Well

Official Retractions and Verification

"This story is absolutely fake," a spokesperson for the Friends of the British Overseas Territories stated. "We have been in touch with Joe Hollins, who confirmed he does not have an X account and that Jonathan is perfectly fine". Governor Phillips further validated the tortoise's status by visiting Jonathan at his residence on the Plantation House grounds later that evening. The fraudulent account has since been flagged, with cybersecurity analysts suggesting the operator may be linked to a known group of crypto-scammers based in South America.

Jonathan the Tortoise Is A Global Icon

Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise believed to have been hatched around 1832. He arrived on Saint Helena in 1882 as a gift to the governor and has since become a global symbol of longevity, holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest chelonian ever recorded. Despite being blind from cataracts and having lost his sense of smell, Jonathan remains active. He is cared for through a specialised diet of cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, and seasonal fruits, hand-fed by his medical team to ensure he maintains his 400-pound weight. Jonathan the tortoise, World's Oldest Living Land Animal Who is Blind Can't Have Cataract Surgery as it is Risky.

Protecting Digital Information

This incident marks the latest in a series of "celebrity" death hoaxes utilised by bad actors to exploit digital audiences for financial gain. Experts warn that scammers often target beloved public figures or unique icons like Jonathan to create an emotional urgency that bypasses a user's typical scepticism regarding unsolicited financial links. Officials on Saint Helena have urged the public to rely solely on official government channels for updates regarding Jonathan's welfare, noting that the tortoise is expected to celebrate his 194th birthday later this year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2026 07:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).