Outliving the rumor

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LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Well, reports of the death of the world’s oldest living land animal were greatly exaggerated.

Jonathan—the giant tortoise believed to be about 193 years old—is alive and well on the island of St. Helena.

Local officials calling word to the contrary “a hoax,” the false report spreading quickly on, you guessed it, April Fool’s Day.

And as these things so often do, the fake story was halfway round the world before truth even had its pants on.

The post drew millions of views—and an outpouring of condolences. People meant well.

As for Jonathan, he’s now outlived empires, wars, and internet rumors too.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

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