No, Jonathan the tortoise did not die at age 193. Reports claiming his death on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, were confirmed to be a hoax created by a scammer impersonating his veterinarian, Joe Hollins, to solicit cryptocurrency donations.

Jonathan is still alive and well on the island of St Helena, where he continues to reside at Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor. While his exact age remains unknown, historical records from 1882 suggest he was approximately 50 years old at that time, making his current estimated age around 193 to 194 years.

The Hoax: A fake X account posing as Joe Hollins announced Jonathan's peaceful passing, which was widely reported by major media outlets before being debunked.
Verification: The real Joe Hollins, the Governor of St Helena, and the Friends of the British Overseas Territories all confirmed that Jonathan is alive and healthy.
Current Status: Jonathan remains the world's oldest known living land animal, having lived through the reigns of at least eight British monarchs.