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A giant Seychelles tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and well after claims he had died turned out to be part of an alleged crypto scam.
Posts emerged on Wednesday claiming Jonathan, who is thought to be 193 years old according to the official website devoted to him, was dead.
Reports of his demise were posted on X by the account @JoeHollinsVet, named after Joe Hollins, a vet who has taken care of Jonathan and previously spoken of his experiences.
Posing for tourists on St. Helena. Pic: AP
The message read that he was “heartbroken” to announce that the “beloved” creature “has passed away today peacefully”.
Describing himself as Jonathan’s “vet for many years”, he said: “Rest easy, old friend. You’ll be missed more than words can say” and later thanked people “for the outpouring of love for Jonathan as we mourn his passing”.
But the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, quoting the island’s governor, Nigel Phillips, said “the real Joe Hollins does not have an X account, and that Jonathan the tortoise is alive. This account is soliciting crypto donations, has recently changed its username”.
Mr Phillips “has confirmed Jonathan Tortoise is alive and well – he has just checked on him”, he added.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Hollins commented on a screen grab of the X post, saying it was “a hoax” and “not even an April Fool”.
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