Jonathan, the world’s oldest known land animal, was the subject of an online death rumor on April Fools’ Day that spread rapidly on social media before being debunked, according to reports by The Associated Press on Thursday.
Anne Dillon, head of communications on St. Helena, told AP that “It was a hoax,” and that she could “just assure you that he is very much alive,” despite the earlier reports of Jonathan’s death.
AP said the rumor circulated after reports that Jonathan, described as about 193 years old, had died. The post, which AP said falsely claimed to be by a veterinarian identified in the reports as Joe Hollins, said Jonathan had died and used language about the “gentle giant” having “outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans.”
AP reported that the post on X quickly accumulated nearly 2 million views by Thursday, with many users expressing condolences.
Dillon’s remarks came after the St. Helena government sent a photo taken Thursday showing Jonathan roaming the grounds of the island’s governor’s residence, a location associated with Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile following his defeat by the British at Waterloo in 1815 and with Bonaparte’s death in 1821.
Guinness World Records lists Jonathan as the oldest living land animal and the oldest tortoise ever. The reports say Jonathan was believed to have been about 50 years old when he arrived on St. Helena in 1882.
AP also reported that Hollins later said on Facebook that he did not have an X account and that “There is a hoax — not even an April Fool — going around.” Hollins wrote that the hoaxer was asking for crypto donations and called it “a con.”