World's oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, still alive despite reports of death
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Jonathan, the world's oldest known tortoise, is still alive despite a false social media post claiming his death at an estimated age of 193.
- A fake account on X impersonating Joe Hollins, a vet who cared for Jonathan, spread the hoax and solicited cryptocurrency donations.
- Friends of the British Overseas Territories confirmed Jonathan is "alive and well," and Hollins denounced the hoax as a con.
- Jonathan's exact age is uncertain, but evidence suggests he was about 50 years old in 1882 when he arrived on St Helena, making him over 190 years old today.
- The tortoise has lived through eight British monarchs and was recently awarded a Guinness World Record in 2024 as the oldest known land animal.
