Claims that Jonathan, the world's oldest known land animal, had died spread on social media after a fraudulent account posed as his veterinarian and sought cryptocurrency donations.
The post, shared on X under the name "Joe Hollins", stated that Jonathan had died peacefully on St Helena. It described caring for him over the years and said he "will be profoundly missed". The message also referred to feeding him bananas, watching him rest in the sun and praised his calm nature.
The incident highlights how false information can spread online and lead to confusion, even when it concerns widely known figures.
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Account Flagged As Fraudulent
A report by The Guardian said the account behind the post was based in Brazil. The real veterinarian confirmed that Jonathan is alive and said his identity had been misused to solicit cryptocurrency.
The veterinarian said the request for digital currency was not a joke but a scam carried out using a false account.
Oldest Known Land Animal
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is about 194 years old. He has lived through major historical events, including the coronation of Queen Victoria. He has stayed at the Governor's Residence on St Helena since 1882, when he arrived on the island as a gift.
The case shows how quickly misinformation can circulate on social media platforms and mislead users.
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