A fraudulent social media account impersonating the veterinarian of Jonathan, the world’s oldest known land animal, triggered widespread false reports that the estimated 194-year-old tortoise had died on the island of Saint Helena on April 1, 2026.
The account on X presented itself as belonging to Joe Hollins, the veterinarian who has long cared for Jonathan at Plantation House. It published a post claiming Jonathan had died “peacefully,” using an emotional, first-person voice designed to maximise credibility. The post accumulated millions of views within hours and was picked up by major international outlets including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Daily Mail, and USA Today, all of which initially reported Jonathan’s death before later issuing corrections.
The real Joe Hollins, who does not maintain a personal X account, confirmed to journalists that Jonathan is very much alive, describing the incident as “a con” and noting that the impostor was soliciting cryptocurrency donations.
The St Helena Government moved swiftly to set the record straight, confirming that Jonathan was seen that morning at his home in the grounds of Plantation House, where he continues to enjoy his daily routine under the care of Plantation House staff and the St Helena Veterinary Service.
Saint Helena’s Governor Nigel Phillips confirmed the animal was in good health, going outside late at night to personally verify Jonathan’s condition after the false reports began spreading.
A Solana-based memecoin named JONATHAN surged by more than 1,400 percent at its peak amid the wider publicity, though there is no confirmed link between the memecoin project and the individual behind the fraudulent post.
Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise who has lived on the grounds of Plantation House since 1882. Experts place his birth at approximately 1832, making him around 194 years old. Guinness World Records lists this estimate as his official age. Despite being blind and having lost his sense of smell with age, he remains active and maintains a healthy appetite.
The St Helena Government urged the public to rely on official government channels for updates on Jonathan’s health.
