World’s oldest known tortoise still very much alive despite rumor to the contrary

LONDON (AP) – Reports of the death of Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, have been greatly exaggerated. Jonathan, a 193-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise, is still alive on the island of St. Helena. News of his alleged passing spread rapidly on social media on April Fools’ Day. An account, falsely claiming to be by a veterinarian, announced the tortoise’s death and gathered nearly 2 million views. The real veterinarian later clarified it was a hoax aimed at soliciting crypto donations. Jonathan is listed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal.

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