India, April 2 -- Recently, reports of the death of Jonathan the tortoise, who is considered the world's oldest known land animal, created world-wide alarm. Social media messages were spreading the news of the death of the almost 193-year-old giant tortoise from Saint Helena Island. But authorities and experts were quick to put the record straight and inform the public that Jonathan the tortoise was alive and kicking. This incident once again brought to light the ease with which misinformation can go viral, especially about such a highly respected creature who has seen the passing of centuries.

What Happened to the Jonathan Tortoise

The confusion started when there was a posting online that Jonathan had passed away. The information was ...