Jonathan, a giant Seychelles tortoise believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and in good health after false reports of his death spread online and were linked to an alleged cryptocurrency scam.
Social media posts on Wednesday wrongly claimed that Jonathan, who is estimated to be around 193 years old, had died. The posts quickly spread on X and caused confusion among followers.
The message falsely claimed that a veterinarian who had cared for Jonathan for years had announced his death. It included emotional language and later appeared to promote crypto-related donations.
However, officials on the island of St Helena quickly rejected the claim. The Friends of the British Overseas Territories confirmed that Jonathan is still alive and said the account spreading the news does not belong to his real veterinarian.
St Helena Governor Nigel Phillips also confirmed that Jonathan remains alive after personally checking on the tortoise. He warned that the circulating posts formed part of a scam effort that encouraged cryptocurrency donations.
The real veterinarian involved in Jonathan’s care also denied the claim, calling it a hoax and urging people not to share the false information.
Jonathan has lived on St Helena for most of his life and remains a well-known local attraction. He continues to receive regular care and is closely monitored due to his advanced age.
The false reports sparked backlash online, with users calling out the scam attempt. Organizations and officials urged the public to verify information before sharing sensitive news, especially when it involves donation requests.
