Jonathan the Turtle: Alive Despite Viral Hoax

In a rather surprising turn of events, Jonathan the turtle, recognized as the oldest land animal in the world, is alive and well. Recently, a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) mistakenly announced his death at the impressive age of 193.

This false information originated from an account posing as Jonathan’s veterinarian, Joe Hollins. It garnered significant attention and led to widespread concern among Jonathan’s admirers globally. Thankfully, the claims turned out to be false.

A few hours later, a user on X confirmed the turtle’s wellbeing, clarifying that the news was merely an April Fool’s joke. Joe Hollins himself stepped in to clear the air, stating, “Yes, he’s still alive.” He further mentioned that the fake account appeared to be part of a scam aimed at collecting cryptocurrency donations.

Experts have also weighed in, asserting the story about Jonathan’s passing was entirely unfounded. Living primarily on St. Helena, a remote British island in the South Atlantic, Jonathan has been a resident there for most of his life.

Believed to have been born around 1832, Jonathan arrived on St. Helena in 1882 as an adult. This means he’s witnessed nearly two centuries of history unfold. The island has officially announced that he holds the title of the world’s oldest living land animal, living on the grounds of Plantation House, known as the governor’s official residence.

His exact birth date remains a mystery, but the island has assigned him an official birthday of December 4, 2022. Despite his remarkable age, Jonathan continues to thrive and has become a symbol of longevity on the island he calls home. It’s astonishing, really, how he continues to outlive generations around him.