AssetID: 55595688
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Jonathan the world's oldest tortoise lives! He heads towards 200 despite reports of his demise
Caption: Contrary to initial reports, the world’s oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, is still alive. Happily, initial statements claiming the 193-year-old lad, who lives on the island of St Helena, had died proved false. An account on X, purporting to belong to Joe Hollins, a vet who has previously cared for Jonathan, claimed it was “heartbroken to share” that the tortoise had died. Several media outlets initially reported the claim. However, Hollins has since dismissed the post as fraudulent. “Jonathan the tortoise is very much alive,” he told USA Today. “I believe on X the person purporting to be me is asking for crypto donations, so it's not even an April Fool joke. It's a con.” Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise and a much-loved national symbol of St Helena, celebrated his 193rd birthday in December. Believed to have hatched in 1832, he is widely regarded as the world’s oldest land animal. While his exact birth date is unknown, officials on the island have assigned an official birthday based on historical estimates. Over the course of his life, Jonathan has witnessed extraordinary changes from the invention of the postage stamp, telephone and photography to major global events including the US Civil War, much of Queen Victoria’s reign, two world wars and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Despite being blind and having lost his sense of smell, Jonathan remains active, regularly roaming his surroundings. For now, reports of his death appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Natural World,tortoise,oldest tortoise,Jonathan,alive,193-year-old,island of St Helena,post,fraudulent,USA Today,X,Hollins,April Fool joke,Seychelles giant tortoise,postage stamp,US Civil War,Queen Victoria’s reign,surroundings,animals,habitat
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