Jonathan, the world's oldest tortoise, has died at 193 years old. He was gay and lived through 2 world wars.

Question

Jonathan, the world's oldest tortoise, has died at 193 years old

He was gay and lived through two world wars and 40 US presidents

Answer 1

According to my findings, it is a general consensus that Jonathan, the world's oldest turtle, is alive and well. Furthermore, it is suggested that this was a crypto scam, where a user on X was falsely claiming to be Joe Hollins, despite the fact that Hollins does not have an X account. This impersonator was asking for cryptocurrency donations after the false claim of Jonathan’s death.

My primary sources are CNN’s “World’s oldest known tortoise still very much alive and (slowly) kicking despite rumor to the contrary”, https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/03/world/oldest-tortoise-alive-despite-rumor-intl-hnk . 

As well as BBC “World's oldest known tortoise still alive, as reports of death revealed as hoax” https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c393xmpzjwko . 

Both CNN and the BBC reference information obtained from the government of St Helena. CNN based its report on an interview with Anne Dillon, the head of communications on the island, who spoke with the Associated Press. In contrast, the BBC reached out via email and received a response from Nigel Phillips, the governor of St Helena. Aside from these references to the government, both news sources contain identical quotes from the original misleading tweet and Facebook post by Joe Hollins.

The next point to fact-check is the claim that "He was gay and lived through two world wars and 40 U.S. presidents." Jonathan is estimated to have been born around 1832, which means he would have indeed lived through both world wars and the terms of 40 U.S. presidents. This statement is accurate based on the timeline.

As well as yes Johnathan is considered gay from human perspective as his long term partner for over 26 years, Frederic, who was originally thought to be a female and names Frederica until a medical examination in 2017 revealed his true gender. As well as Johnathan despite being there for over 144 years and has yet to sire a mate. 

The official St. Helena information page about Johnathan shows a sense of humor regarding the labeling of a tortoise as gay. They appear to take an amusement in responding to articles and discussions surrounding this topic. https://sainthelenaisland.info/jonathan.htm

 

Comments

Both CNN and the BBC reference information obtained from the government of St Helena. CNN i really like here how you show that the information obtained in CNN is from a government source where the tortise is living

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As well as yes Johnathan is considered gay from human perspective as his long term partner for over 26 years, Frederic.

i like this part of the response because he was right about some parts of the claim were technically correct but it is irrelevant because of its other underlying falseness

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I like how you summarized your findings in a easy to follow paragraph, and used sources such as BBC and CNN. Overall, I find that it was interesting and important that you found part of the claim was true whilst the fact that Jonathan died was false.

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I think you did a really solid job actually breaking the claim down and checking it instead of just repeating what you saw online. It makes your conclusion feel a lot more trustworthy. One thing that could make it even stronger is going a step further with your sources like looking at whether they’re all relying on the same original information or if any of them independently verified it. That would show how strong the evidence really is. Overall though, your reasoning was clear and easy to follow, which made your argument convincing.

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Great use of BBC and CNN, both trace back to St. Helena Officials, so your hoax correction is very well supported. The "gay" label also seems more like a human interpretation than a factual classification. The timeline on the world wars and presidents is solid.

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BBC and CNN are both excellent sources and are very accurate. The mention of the tortoise being gay is a good side note and gave more context to his life style. Your reasoning was clear and you did a great job of shortening an article that was originally a much longer read.

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I admire how you referenced BBC news as well as CNN. Both have correlation to St. Helena which is important to bring to the reader's attention.

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I agree that this is a hoax, and you made a great point about the government sources. One thing I found interesting while digging through the same BBC and CNN reports you cited is how long it took for the 'retractions' to catch up to the viral posts. Even after the Governor of St. Helena confirmed Jonathan was alive, the original fake Dexerto post was still being shared as 'Breaking News.' It really shows that once a 'death' goes viral, the truth struggles to travel as fast as the emotional hook of the original lie.

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You made a good point that the claim about how Jonathan lived through 40 US Presidents and both World Wars is in fact true because of the timeline of those events compared to the estimated timeline of his life.

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Good job on finding out whether this was a hoax or not, especially with sources like CNN and BBC. Were you able to find any information or links that this impersonator wanted money to be sent to? I also am not sure if you can really tell if a tortoise is "gay," so I think if that is in the title, maybe that can be fact-checked as well?

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I think your fact-check is solid overall, especially how you used multiple sources like CNN and BBC, but one thing I’d push further is how clear you are about the main claim being false. The original post says Jonathan died, but that part is actually completely untrue — not just questionable.

Recent reporting shows that the death rumor was part of a hoax linked to a fake social media account impersonating his vet and even trying to collect cryptocurrency donations. Multiple outlets confirmed that Jonathan is still alive and living on St. Helena.  
So instead of treating parts of the claim as possibly true, I think it’s important to clearly separate them:
    •    “Jonathan died” → False (confirmed hoax)
    •    “He lived through world wars” → Likely true based on age
    •    “He was gay” → More of a human interpretation than a factual claim

I do like that you checked the timeline and added context about his partner — that strengthens your answer. You might just want to make your conclusion clearer so readers immediately understand that the main claim (his death) is misinformation.

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I really like the layout of your fact-check; it is very clear and allows for easy understanding for the viewer. Your inclusion of both primary and secondary sources effectively confirms that the claim regarding Jonathan the tortoise is false. Also, highlighting that the original post was part of a crypto scam is an important detail that helps the audience understand the potential motive behind the misinformation.

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I enjoyed reading your fact check all because of how easy it was to read and how it was formatted. You did a good job disproving the claim right away then explaining how the claim was incorrect with sources. Also mentioning that the original post was a crypto scam made even more sense about the motive of the person who posted the claim.

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You did a good job using credible sources like CNN and BBC and using different types of sources like interviews and emails. I also really like your explanation of Johnathans age and historical context.

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I appreciate how you addressed this false rumor. By using evidence from CNN, a credible news source, you complete the argument that Jonathan is alive. Moreover, the layout of your fact check makes it easier for the reader to follow and makes for a stronger argument.

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it was really easy to follow and I liked how they used sources like BBC and CNN. I also think it was interesting how you pointed out that the part of the claim was technically true but overall still false. Maybe you could add more about where the rumor started to make it even stronger.

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I think this was a great evaluation of the claim, and what you found. I think you did a really strong job tracing the information from CNN and BBC back to the government of St. Helena, because that makes your evidence feel more reliable than just repeating news headlines. One thing I was wondering about is whether both CNN and BBC relied on the same original source, like the Associated Press, or if they verified the information independently. If they came from the same original source, that might mean there are fewer independent confirmations than it first appears.

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Using sources like BBC and CNN is always reliable because they are widely used to counter fake news. I also liked how you disproved the claim and showed why it was false and misleading.

Answer 2

Think of this as your investigation log. Answer each question to explain what you discovered and how you got there.

according to my findings Jonathan the Tortise is still alive and well.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/04/01/jonathan-oldest-tortoise-dies-st-helena/89424376007/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c393xmpzjwko

according to both USA today and BBC the Tortise is alive despite the news of its passing it is a hoax.

i have looked at multiple different sources that are very reliable and trusted news sources. BBC is one of the most well known news sources.

Comments

xcellent job catching the Joe Hollins impersonation. I agree that the BBC and USA Today retractions are the 'smoking gun' here. What I find most interesting is that the real Joe Hollins doesn't even have an X account, which means the scammer successfully bypassed the platform's verification logic just by using a familiar name.

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By catching the impersonation of the veterinarian Joe Hollins, you completely shut down this false claim. Furthermore, using two sources from credible news companies makes it stronger. Lastly, I liked how you explained both your sources and why they are credible.

Answer 3

Everything is correct, but the claim that he has died is not supported by widely confirmed reports, as he has been described in recent reliable updates as still alive. The statement that he was “gay” is based on observed same-sex behavior, which does occur in animals, but it is a simplified interpretation rather than a precise scientific classification.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jonathan-the-tortoise-death-hoax/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  - I learned that he is not gay but that's what the animals do how a lot of people say he is alive.
 

https://apnews.com/article/oldest-tortoise-death-hoax-jonathan-22e2960833b112c3b873e1ce4b089c20?utm_source=chatgpt.com - This article included statements from officials on Saint Helena confirming that Jonathan is “very much alive,” directly debunking the viral claim.
 

The first source is a fact-check site where their whole job to prove someone wrong
 

The claim originates from a viral social media post (X/Twitter) purporting that Jonathan had died.
Statements from Jonathan’s official caretakers and veterinarian confirm he is still alive.
 

They didn't respond

Comments

I like how you included Snopes and AP to support your points  those are very strong sources. I think it’s important that you clarified Jonathan is still alive, because that’s the part of the claim that was completely false. I also like how you explained the gay label as an interpretation of animal behavior rather than a scientific fact that helps prevent the readers from taking human concepts too literally. You could mention that the original viral post came from an impersonator account on X/Twitter to show exactly where the false information spread from.

Answer 4

The claim that Johnathan the turtoise died is false. The Guardian says that the rumor came from a fake social media account and was part of a scam. People say the turtoise is still alive. These are not direct primary sources but the officials from St. Helena and Johnathan's vet confirmed he is alive. This info is reported in the Guardian. The Guardian says the death rumor came from a fake account pretending to be his vet and was asking for crypto donations. The Guardian is a major news source so it could lean one way, but it uses verified info from official people, which makes it reliable. The only evidence was from social media posts, which turned out to be fake and part of a scam. Officials and Jonathans real vet confirmed he is still alive, which proves the claim is false. 

Guardian News and Media. (2026, April 2). World’s oldest tortoise caught in viral crypto death scam. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/02/worlds-oldest-tortoise-crypto-death-scam 

Comments

I really like how you included the original post was apart of a crypto scam. I feel like for the audience that is an important key detail as to where the motive may have come from.

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I like how you include secondary sources but mention that primary sources (St Helena and Jonathan's vet) have commented on the topic, confirming that he is alive. This makes your fact check even more reliable.

Answer 5

The claim in the Dexerto post that Jonathan the tortious died at the age of 193 is false. While it is true that Jonathan is around 193 years old and has lived through many major historical events, including multiple wars and U.S. presidents, reliable sources confirm that he is still alive. Reports from his veterinarian and officials in Saint Helena clearly state that the death rumor came from a viral hoax, possibly connected to a scam. News outlets like The Guardian and People verified that Jonathan is “very much alive,” directly contradicting the social media post. This shows that although parts of the post are accurate, the main claim about his death is not true.

Comments

I really like how you formatted this response. the claim is not completly true, but i like how you wrote that some of the claim was indeed correct. I also like how you used a good source (The Guardian) and (People) to back your fact check.

Answer 6

Think of this as your investigation log. Answer each question to explain what you discovered and how you got there.

1. Write a brief overall summary of your findings.

The central claim that Jonathan, has died is false: Saint Helena’s government and Guinness World Records both said on April 2, 2026 that Jonathan is alive and well. The parts saying he lived through two world wars and 40 U.S. presidents are broadly supported by Guinness materials, though the exact president count changed over time as years passed. 

2. What primary sources did you find (e.g., transcripts, videos of politician speeches, tweets from public figures, scientific studies)? For each source, write at least one or two sentences explaining what you learned. Include all links.

Saint Helena Government statement, April 2, 2026
Link: Jonathan the Tortoise is Alive and Well – St Helena Government

"The St Helena Government should like to reassure the community that Jonathan, St Helena's beloved giant tortoise and world's oldest living land animal, is very much alive and well. Yesterday, storied circulated on social media falsely claiming that Jonathan had passed away. These claims are entirely untrue and appear to be part of an online hoax."

3. What secondary sources did you find (e.g., newspapers, magazines)? Only use secondary sources if sufficient primary sources are not available. For each source, write at least one or two sentences explaining what you learned. Include all links.

Associated Press, April 2026
Link: World’s oldest known tortoise still very much alive despite rumor to the contrary

AP independently confirmed with Saint Helena communications staff that Jonathan is alive. It also reports that a fake account impersonated Joe Hollins and that Hollins said the crypto-donation angle was a con. 

4. What potential biases or interests might each of your sources have?

Saint Helena Government: This is the official authority responsible for Jonathan’s care and public communications. It has a strong interest in protecting public trust and the island’s reputation, but it is also the most direct source on whether Jonathan is alive. 

AP and The Guardian: Both are professional news organizations with editorial standards, but they still rely on source access and may initially repeat mistaken information in fast-moving stories. In this case, they are useful mostly because they checked the rumor against official sources. 

5. What evidence supports the claim you are fact-checking?

The "two world wars" part is supported by Guinness’s 2019 feature, which explicitly says Jonathan had lived through two world wars. 

The "40 U.S. presidents" part is supported by Guinness’s 2023 feature, which says Jonathan’s life has spanned 40 U.S. presidents.

6. What evidence undermines the claim you are fact-checking?

The biggest problem is the main claim that Jonathan did not die. Saint Helena’s government said the death reports were "entirely untrue" and said Jonathan had been seen that morning at Plantation House. Guinness also explicitly debunked the death report and said he was "alive and well."

Comments

I really like the layout of your fact-check; it is very clear and allows for easy understanding for the viewer. Moreover, your inclusion of both primary and secondary sources confirms that the claim that Jonathan the tortoise passed away is false.

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Your fact check is very well formatted, and it was very clear to see your point of view in this situation. I like how you disproved the part about Jonathon being dead, but proved the part that he has been alive for two world wars and 40 US presidents. It was well-reasoned and highlights the main claim of the post being fake.

Answer 7

The claim that Jonathan, the world's oldest tortoise has died is false. For my primary source, I looked to where the rumor had originated. According to my findings from X, a popular app whom in the past used to be known as "Twitter", marked the comment as a scam. The post from user "@Joe Hollins" was publicly called out by the British Overseas X account, which is valid, saying the news was fake and that the tortoise was alive and well. 
 

https://bsky.app/profile/dexerto.bsky.social/post/3mihiyoyztd2i

For my secondary source, I turned to CNN, where interviews were collected stating the news was a "hoax", or rather a cruel April fools day prank. The article mentions "It was a hoax,” Anne Dillon, head of communications on the island, told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I can just assure you that he is very much alive. News of the Seychelles giant tortoise’s demise spread rapidly on social media on Wednesday". 

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/03/world/oldest-tortoise-alive-despite-rumor-intl-hnk

The original claim posted by the user impersonating Joe Hollins was fact checked by both CNN and BBC World News, agreeing the the original post was motivated by an attempt to prank people in which it did successfully. Both news outlets reference direct claims from St. Helena, where the tortoise remains, making the rebuttle claim true. Efforts to reach out to the initial poster were unsuccessful. 

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/jonathan-the-tortoise-is-alive-and-well/

 

Comments

I liked the way you traced the claim all the way to its roots (A post from @Joe Hollins) is great work that many people including myself overlook.
Using X as your primary source is a bit risky since X isn't a very reliable source of information even though they flagged the post.  I believe that your stronger primary evidence should be the official statement issued by the authorities of Saint Helena as well as news media such as CNN and BBC News, which report on direct communication with the officials of the island.

Answer 8

Think of this as your investigation log. Answer each question to explain what you discovered and how you got there.

1. Write a brief overall summary of your findings.
2. What primary sources did you find (e.g., transcripts, videos of politician speeches, tweets from public figures, scientific studies)? For each source, write at least one or two sentences explaining what you learned. Include all links.
3. What secondary sources did you find (e.g., newspapers, magazines)? Only use secondary sources if sufficient primary sources are not available. For each source, write at least one or two sentences explaining what you learned. Include all links.
4. What potential biases or interests might each of your sources have?
5. What evidence supports the claim you are fact-checking?
6. What evidence undermines the claim you are fact-checking?
7. What happened when you tried contacting the person or group who made the original claim? (Always try to contact them—it’s okay if you don’t get a reply. For example, if the claim is that the president said something, try reaching out to the administration. If it was a Bluesky user, message that user on Bluesky.)

Comments

I checked the "About" section of Dexerto; they are a commercial media company, not a primary news wire like AP or Reuters. Therefore, their claim of a death requires secondary verification from a primary source.
I also searched for "Jonathan the Tortoise death" across high-credibility outlets. The BBC, The Guardian, and the St. Helena Government which is his official residence have no such report. I found a recent feature from Guinness World Records (January 2026) celebrating his continued health. By looking for better coverage, it becomes clear that only social media accounts are reporting the death, while official journalistic outlets are not. About the "Gay" Claim,I traced this back to reports from 2017 in The Times. For 26 years, Jonathan’s sole mate was Frederi. When vets examined Frederic for a shell issue, they discovered he was male. This is a legitimate biological fact that has led to Jonathan being a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. I  also verified his hatch date against the British Museum records from when he was brought to St. Helena in 1882. He has indeed seen 40 US President and two World Wars.
I located an official statement from Joe Hollins, Jonathan’s long-term veterinarian on St. Helena. Hollins recently stated:"He is a creature of habit... he has a very good appetite and still has a great deal of spirit." Since the vet has not issued a death certificate and the St. Helena government still lists him as a resident of Plantation House, the claim of his death is False.

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I really like how you included that Dexerto is not a primary news source and how any claims made on their platform would require additional verification. I feel like this has a greater impact than just the post about Jonathan the tortoise, as people should always fact-check claims they see on media platforms without evidence.

Answer 9

The world's oldest tortoise, Jonathan, is still very much alive. According to CNN, the tortoise continues to reside on the island of St. Helena. Jonathan is 193 years old. An April Fool's joke about Jonathan's death spread rapidly on various social media platforms, leaving many to believe he is no longer with us. The owner, Joe Hollins, made a Facebook post later that said he didn't even have X, and therefore did not make that post. The post that was being spread about the tortoise's death was a fake X account, pretending to be the owner. The impersonator was also asking for crypto donations. 

It is true that Jonathan has lived through 40 US presidents and two world wars since he was born around 1832. 

According to the New York Post, Jonathan has had a partner for 26 years, but they have never mated. It is because they are both male tortoises which concludes that he is gay.

 
World’s oldest known tortoise still very much alive and (slowly) kicking despite rumor to the contrary | CNN

Turns out this 186-year-old tortoise has a gay lover | New York Post

Answer 10

According to my findings, Jonathan the tortoise is still very much alive, calling the island of St. Helena home. According to CNN and BBC, a user of the X platform created an account impersonating Joe Hollins, a veterinarian who had cared for Jonathan on the island. This X account attempted to pull off a cryptocurrency scam by fooling people into believing the beloved tortoise had died, and asking for crypto donations on April 1, 2026. After the post on X received upwards of 2 million views, The Guardian discovered the account that made the post was located in Brazil, and that Joe Hollins does not even use the X platform. This led Hollins to make the following statement: "... it’s not even an April fool joke. It’s a con." (The Guardian)

Additionally, there does seem to be some evidence supporting the claim that Jonathan may be gay. According to an article posted by Fiona Parker to the Daily Mail (2018), in 1991, Jonathan was gifted a mate, another tortoise named Frederica. They would spend lots of time together, but no offspring were ever had. Some time later, veterinarians needed to repair a small lesion on the shell of Frederica, but after closer inspection, they found out it was a male tortoise. Tortoises and some other animals have exhibited same-sex relationships, but I was not able to find any substantial research regarding the claim.