Jonathan, World’s Oldest Tortoise, Is 'Very Much Alive’ Aged 193 Despite Crypto Death Hoax

Gabrielle RocksonThu, April 2, 2026 at 10:07 AM UTC

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Jonathan the Giant TortoiseCredit: Gillian Moore / Alamy Stock Photo -

A hoax on X falsely claimed that Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise, had died

193-year-old Jonathan's real owner, vet Joe Hollins, confirmed the animal is alive and denounced the post — which was allegedly seeking crypto donations — as a con

The Governor of Saint Helena — the island off the coast of Africa where Jonathan lives — joked about the hoax and said the animal was peacefully sleeping under a tree

The world's oldest tortoise has found himself embroiled in a crypto death scam.

On Wednesday, March 1, a post on X supposedly from the tortoise's owner, Joe Hollins, claimed the 193-year-old animal had died, according to U.K. newspaper The Guardian, Today and the BBC.

Many outlets, such as the BBC, Daily Mail and USA Today, reported the news that Jonathan had died as a result.

“Heartbroken to share that our beloved Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, has passed away today peacefully on Saint Helena,” the post pretending to be from vet Hollins, read, per The Guardian.

“As his vet for many years, it was an honor to care for him — hand-feeding bananas, watching him bask in the sun and marveling at his quiet wisdom. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience and longevity that inspired millions. Rest easy, old friend. You’ll be missed more than words can say," it continued.

Jonathan the Giant TortoiseCredit: Getty

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The Guardian discovered that the X account originated in Brazil, instead of Jonathan’s residence of Saint Helena, an island off the coast of Africa.

Meanwhile, in a post on Facebook, the real Joe Hollins shared a screenshot of the false post and wrote, “There is a hoax, not even an April Fool, going around in X with American spelling but using my name, saying Jonathan the Tortoise, the oldest living land animal, is dead.”

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Jonathan the Giant TortoiseCredit: Gillian Moore / Alamy Stock Photo

“IT IS NOT TRUE. The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con. Please forward guys because this has spread. Even our researcher friends in the US, unraveling his DNA, have just sent condolences,” Hollins added.

Meanwhile, Collins also told The Guardian, “Jonathan the tortoise is very much alive. I believe on X, the person purporting to be me is asking for crypto donations, so it’s not even an April fool joke. It’s a con.”

Governor of Saint Helena, Nigel Phillips, also told the outlet that he was getting ready for bed on Wednesday, March 1, when he received an influx of messages about Jonathan.

“Jonathan is asleep under a tree in the paddock,” Phillips confirmed.

He then joked that Jonathan himself had released a press statement that read, “The report of my death was an exaggeration … Mark Twain, not Oscar Wilde. Jonathan would nonetheless have had the chance to enjoy both their works in the original first editions.”

PEOPLE previously reported that Jonathan was named the world's oldest known living land animal by the Guinness World Records in 2019.

PEOPLE reached out to St Helena Governor, Nigel Phillips, for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”