Jonathan, a 193-year-old giant tortoise recognized as the world's oldest known living land animal, is alive and well despite viral reports of his death that circulated on April 1st.

The false reports began spreading on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as part of what appears to have been an April Fools' Day hoax. The fake news quickly gained traction online, fooling thousands of users who shared and reacted to the supposed death announcement.

Jonathan, who lives on the British territory of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, has held the Guinness World Record as the oldest known living land animal. Born around 1832, the Aldabra giant tortoise has lived through multiple centuries and witnessed significant historical events.

The hoax appears to have been linked to cryptocurrency-related accounts, according to reports, though the exact origin and motivation behind the false death announcement remain unclear. Social media users who initially believed and shared the news later discovered they had been deceived by the April Fools' prank.

Jonathan continues to reside at Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of St. Helena, where he has lived since the 1880s. Despite his advanced age, the tortoise remains active and has become a beloved symbol of the island territory.