Pune: Forest Department Confirms Viral Tiger Photo From Junnar Is AI-Generated
Pune: Forest Department Confirms Viral Tiger Photo From Junnar Is AI-Generated
Pune, November 11, 2025: The Forest Department has issued a clarification after an image showing a tiger allegedly spotted in a farm field at Mangrul, Junnar taluka (Pune district) went viral on social media.
According to officials, a detailed inquiry revealed that the viral image was not real, but AI-generated.
The person who circulated the photo, identified as Dattatray Vinayak Minde of Mangrul, provided a written statement to the department admitting that the image was created using Artificial Intelligence tools and did not depict an actual tiger sighting.
The Forest Department has urged citizens not to believe or spread misleading content and to verify the authenticity of such images before forwarding them on social media. Officials also appealed to media outlets and online users to act responsibly and ensure fact-based reporting to prevent unnecessary panic or misinformation.
“Spreading unverified content can create confusion and disturb social harmony,” the department said in a public advisory.
