The Pune Forest Department has issued a stern warning that it will initiate criminal proceedings against individuals who create and deliberately circulate fake, AI-generated images and videos of leopards in urban areas. This decisive action comes in response to a flood of digitally fabricated content that has sparked unnecessary fear among citizens and severely hampered the department's operational efficiency.
Wave of AI Fabrications Triggers Public Fear
Over the past month, the department has been inundated with reports and messages, primarily shared on housing society WhatsApp groups and social media platforms, featuring convincing but entirely fake visuals of leopards. Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for Pune Division, stated that a very high number of these alarming messages are AI-generated. He explained that these messages often reach the department through public representatives who receive them from concerned local residents, only for a large chunk to be debunked as digital forgeries or old videos recirculated with false claims.
The situation is particularly problematic because these fabrications often emerge from localities where genuine leopard sightings have recently been confirmed. In the last month, real leopards have been spotted in about half a dozen locations across Pune city, including Pune Airport, Aundh, Bavdhan, and Pashan-Sutarwadi. A leopard was even captured by the forest department a week ago from one of these areas.
Misinformation Hampers Genuine Wildlife Response
Officials detailed specific instances of misinformation. One viral video showing a leopard hunting a deer was falsely claimed to be from Bavdhan, whereas it was actually an old clip from Rajasthan. Another video that caused significant panic purported to show a leopard scaling the compound wall of a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility in Pashan. This video, which spread rapidly on social media groups, was later confirmed to be AI-generated.
An officer from the department expressed bewilderment, noting, "We have also come across AI-generated videos in which people have added leopards to CCTV footage. We fail to understand why people are doing this." The primary consequence, according to DCF Mohite, is the dangerous diversion of critical resources. "Because we are utilising our resources in verification of these messages, the real response efforts are delayed because teams must first verify whether an incident is genuine or not," he emphasized.
Criminal Action and Public Appeal
To combat this growing menace, the Forest Department has decided to take a hard legal stance. "We will now be registering criminal cases against those who create these AI-generated images and videos and are knowingly circulating it," Mohite declared. The department has already held coordination meetings with police officials and, as a starting point, has issued notices to some individuals for questioning.
Range Forest Officers from across Pune and its surrounding areas echoed the severity of the problem, stating that fake images and AI videos have become a major hurdle in their daily functioning. One officer explained that every false alarm forces teams to divert precious time, vehicles, and manpower for verification, which directly impacts real rescue operations and public safety. They warned that such misinformation can trigger panic, unwanted crowding, and incorrect public responses during an actual wildlife emergency.
The department has made a strong appeal to citizens: do not forward unverified messages. They have clarified that those found deliberately creating or circulating fake content will be booked under relevant sections of the law.
