Trending Now - Jonathan the Tortoise, the Oldest Land Animal, Passes Away at 193

WHO:

Yahoo - The real Joe Hollins confirmed, "Jonathan the tortoise is very much alive."

Yahoo - Stephen Clark, who works with the nonprofit longevity research organization Kallel, confirmed Jonathan was alive.

Yahoo - Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise.

BBC News - Stephen Clark is affiliated with the nonprofit longevity research organization Kallel.

Yahoo - Governor of St. Helena, Nigel Phillips, assigned Jonathan an official birthday of December 4th.

BBC News - Jonathan the tortoise, the world's oldest known land animal.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins, Jonathan's veterinarian.

Yahoo - Stephen Clark, a researcher from the nonprofit longevity organization Kallel.

WHAT:

Yahoo - A viral post on the social media platform X falsely claimed that Jonathan had died at age 193, which was part of a crypto scam.

Yahoo - A previous version of a story incorrectly reported that Jonathan the tortoise had died.

Yahoo - The account on the social media platform X that falsely claimed Jonathan had died was soliciting crypto donations, which Joe Hollins described as a con.

Yahoo - The false report of Jonathan's death was a viral hoax that misled thousands of people.

ABC News Tech - Reports of Jonathan's death have been described as greatly exaggerated.

Yahoo - Jonathan is recognized by Guinness World Records as both the world's oldest living land animal and the oldest chelonian.

Yahoo - An account on the social media platform X falsely claimed that Jonathan had died at age 193.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins confirmed to USA TODAY, "Jonathan the tortoise is very much alive."

Yahoo - The account claiming to be Joe Hollins was soliciting crypto donations, which Hollins described as a con.

BBC News - Joe Hollins stated that Jonathan has left behind a "legacy of resilience and longevity."

Yahoo - The account that falsely reported Jonathan's death was soliciting crypto donations, according to Joe Hollins.

BBC News - Jonathan the tortoise has died at the age of 193, according to a false report.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins confirmed that Jonathan is alive, stating, "Jonathan the tortoise is very much alive."

Yahoo - The tortoise is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal and the oldest chelonian.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Jonathan lives on the grounds of the Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of St. Helena.

Yahoo - Jonathan lives on the grounds of the Plantation House, the governor's residence in St. Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The false announcement of Jonathan's death circulated on April 1st, 2026.

Yahoo - The false announcement of Jonathan's death circulated on April 1st, 2026, but he was confirmed to be alive on the same day.

Yahoo - The false announcement of Jonathan's death circulated on April 1st, 2026.

Yahoo - A photograph taken in 1882 shows Jonathan was fully grown when he was first brought to St. Helena.

Yahoo - The false report of Jonathan's death circulated on social media on April 1st, 2026, but he was confirmed to be alive on the same day.

Yahoo - The false report of Jonathan's death circulated on social media on April 1st, 2026.

Yahoo - Jonathan is believed to have been born around 1832 and was estimated to be at least 50 years old in 1882 when he was brought to St. Helena.

WHY:

Yahoo - Joe Hollins stated that the account claiming to be him was not an April Fool's joke but a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins clarified that the account claiming to be him was not an April Fool's joke but a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

Yahoo - The account claiming to be Joe Hollins was soliciting crypto donations, which was described as a con.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins stated that the account claiming to be him was not an April Fool's joke but a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins clarified that the account claiming to be him was not an April Fool's joke but a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins clarified that the account claiming to be him was a con and not an April Fool's joke.

Yahoo - The false announcement of Jonathan's death was made by a fake account on the social media platform X, which was soliciting crypto donations.

HOW:

Yahoo - The false report was disseminated through an account on the social media platform X.

Yahoo - Joe Hollins clarified that the account claiming to be him was a con and not an April Fool's joke.

(UPDATED April 3, 2026 01:20 UTC)

A viral post on the social media platform X falsely claimed that Jonathan the tortoise had died at age 193, which was part of a crypto scam that circulated on Wednesday. Joe Hollins confirmed that the real Jonathan is very much alive, and Stephen Clark from the nonprofit longevity research organization Kallel also verified this news. Hollins emphasized that the account making the false announcement was not an April Fool's joke, but rather a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 23:07 UTC)

on Wednesday, a false announcement circulated on social media claiming that Jonathan the tortoise had died, but it was confirmed later that same day that he is alive. The misleading account on the platform X, which falsely claimed to be associated with Joe Hollins, was soliciting crypto donations and was described by Hollins as a con. He clarified that this was not an April Fool's joke, but rather a fraudulent attempt to deceive people.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 19:18 UTC)

A viral hoax claiming that Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, had died misled thousands of people after it circulated on Wednesday. The false report, which was spread through an account on the social media platform X, was linked to an individual soliciting crypto donations under the name Joe Hollins, a scheme described as a con. Reports have since clarified that claims of Jonathan's death were greatly exaggerated, with Stephen Clark from the nonprofit longevity research organization Kallel confirming the tortoise's well-being.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 15:17 UTC)

Governor of St. Helena, Nigel Phillips, has officially assigned Jonathan, the world's oldest living land animal and oldest chelonian, a birthday of December 4th. A photograph from 1882 shows that Jonathan was already fully grown when he arrived on the island, where he currently resides at the Plantation House, the Governor's official residence. In a related note, Joe Hollins clarified that a recent account claiming to be him was not an April Fool's joke but rather a fraudulent attempt to solicit donations.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 13:20 UTC)

on Wednesday, a false report circulated on social media claiming that Jonathan the tortoise had died at the age of 193, but Joe Hollins quickly confirmed to USA on Thursday that Jonathan is very much alive. Hollins also pointed out that the account pretending to be him was not part of an April Fool's joke, but rather a fraudulent scheme soliciting crypto donations. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of misinformation on social media platforms.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 07:20 UTC)

on Wednesday, a false report of Jonathan's death circulated on social media, but he was confirmed to be alive later that same day. Joe Hollins stated that Jonathan has left behind a "legacy of resilience and longevity," while also clarifying that the account falsely reporting his death was soliciting crypto donations and was not an April Fool's joke. Hollins emphasized that the account claiming to be him was a con, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 05:32 UTC)

Jonathan the tortoise, recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal, is very much alive despite a false report of his death that circulated on social media on Wednesday. His veterinarian, Joe Hollins, confirmed that the announcement came from a fake account on X, which was attempting to solicit crypto donations. Jonathan, who resides at the Plantation House in St. Helena, is believed to have been born around 1832, making him 193 years old.