Panic spread through residential areas in and around Coimbatore after a digitally fabricated image of a leopard allegedly roaming a locality went viral on social media. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, prompted the forest department to issue a stern warning against circulating such rumours and AI-generated content.
How the Rumours Began and Escalated
The seed for the panic was sown earlier when a genuine leopard was captured on the surveillance cameras of a gear manufacturing company situated on the bank of the Noyyal River on November 12. This authentic video clip circulated online, understandably causing concern among local residents.
However, the situation took a misleading turn when footage of a jungle cat later went viral, with many people mistakenly identifying it as a leopard. This was compounded on Saturday by the widespread sharing of a completely AI-generated picture purporting to show the big cat inside a residential area in Vellalore.
Forest Department's Investigation and Warning
Responding to each instance of reported sightings, forest department teams conducted thorough inspections of the respective areas. District Forest Officer N Jayaraj stated that no evidence of a leopard's presence was found during these checks. "However, we are still continuously monitoring the areas in question," he assured.
Jayaraj issued a strong caution to the public, warning of legal consequences for those who spread baseless rumours and create undue panic. He specifically addressed the new trend of using artificial intelligence to manufacture false evidence. "Some people create AI images of wild animals and share them on social media as a prank. Strict action will be taken against those indulging in such acts," he emphasized.
The Consequences of Digital Misinformation
This incident highlights the growing challenge authorities face with hyper-realistic, AI-generated content that can quickly spark fear and confusion. The Coimbatore forest department's proactive stance aims to curb such irresponsible behaviour before it leads to public hysteria or unnecessary emergency responses.
The department's message is clear: while they remain vigilant in monitoring urban wildlife movements, they will also pursue action against individuals who digitally fabricate threats and disrupt public order through online platforms.
