Team Goemkarponn
FATORDA: Fatorda witnessed a brief scare yesterday evening when a photo claiming to show a leopard near Chovot, close to SGDH, went viral on social media. The image was circulated by Gautam Kumar, a tender coconut seller in the area, along with another person named Ali.
Forest officials, led by officer Gaurish, promptly visited the site to verify the sighting. Upon investigation and examination of the mobile device used to share the photo, authorities determined that the image was not real but generated using an artificial intelligence application.
Gautam Kumar admitted to spreading the fake photo, acknowledging the mistake. The Forest Department has seized his mobile and confirmed that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible for creating and disseminating false information that caused public panic.
Authorities have urged the public to verify wildlife sightings with official sources before sharing them on social media, emphasizing that spreading unverified content can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion.
