Jonathan, the 193-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise, is alive and kicking, contrary to rumors

Jonathan, the 193-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise, is still well despite a social media post claiming otherwise.

The tortoise, believed to be the oldest land animal on Earth, lives on the British island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, best known for where Napoleon was exiled until his death in 1821.

Jonathan is cared for by a veterinary team, of which X posted a parody account saying the tortoise was dead.

Dr. Joe Hollins, the real veterinarian, not the impersonated one, said on Facebook, “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. IT IS NOT TRUE. The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con.”

Some news outlets were fooled, including the BBC, which has since issued a correction. USA Today and the Daily Mail were also hoodwinked, according to The Guardian.

Saint Helena Gov. Nigel Phillips told The Guardian that “Jonathan is asleep under a tree in the paddock” and is “very much alive.” 

Though Dr. Hollins called the stunt a con, the impersonator said it was in the spirit of April Fools’ Day.

The parody account made a second post on Wednesday, saying that “1.7M views is crazy on a post about Jonathan dying today. Yes, he’s still alive. Did anyone send crypto? … This was just an April fools prank.”