{"id":16441,"date":"2025-12-02T12:21:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=16441"},"modified":"2025-12-03T18:16:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:16:02","slug":"ai-generated-video-viral-as-a-scene-during-sl-floods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/ai-generated-video-viral-as-a-scene-during-sl-floods\/","title":{"rendered":"A leopard climbing on top of an elephant to escape the floods in Sri Lanka? Find out the truth…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0daf\u0dd2\u0db1\u0db4\u0dad\u0dcf \u0dc3\u0dad\u0dca\u200d\u0dba \u0d9a\u0dbb\u0dd4\u0dab\u0dd4<\/strong> \u0daf\u0dd0\u0db1 \u0d9c\u0dd0\u0db1\u0dd3\u0db8\u0da7 \u0d85\u0db4\u0d9c\u0dda WhatsApp \u0da0\u0dd0\u0db1\u0dbd\u0dba\u0da7\u0db8\u0dd9\u0dad\u0db1\u0dd2\u0db1\u0dca<\/a> \u0d91\u0d9a\u0dad\u0dd4\u0dc0\u0db1\u0dca\u0db1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

False and misleading information is widely shared on social media regarding the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka. Recently, a video and images purporting to show a leopard slowly treading on an elephant\u2019s back during a flood have gone viral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to viral posts, the leopard climbed onto the elephant in the Yala National Park to survive the massive flooding.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>| <\/strong>Archived<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This footage has been shared widely, not just within Sri Lanka, but across international media platforms as well, especially in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X<\/strong><\/a>  <\/strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We conducted a fact-check to verify the credibility of these social media posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact Check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we analysed the animals’ behaviour. It is highly unnatural for a predator such as a leopard and a large herbivore such as the elephant to coexist or cooperate in such proximity, even in the face of a natural disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To verify this, we contacted Ms Anjali Watson, a renowned environmentalist with extensive experience in leopard conservation. She confirmed that there is virtually no probability of such an interaction occurring between an elephant and a leopard. She further stated that no such incident has been recorded or reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, elephants do not remain still in a flood situation and use their physical strength and intelligence to move to a safe place. Also, since they can swim, they often try to move to a safe place, even in the face of heavy floods. They often struggle with strong currents. Therefore, it is impractical for an elephant to remain still in such heavy water currents as seen in the purported footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, no mainstream media or verified source reported the incident, and an environmentalist currently at the Yala National Park also confirmed that it didn’t happen and appears to be fabricated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, upon closer inspection of the viral footage, visual anomalies became apparent. Hence, we subjected footage to several AI detection tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI-Generated Content<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The AI detection tools strongly suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) generated both the video and the image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During times of disaster, we kindly request responsible citizens to refrain from sharing misleading, AI-generated content. Spreading such fabrications can lead to unnecessary confusion. We at Fact Crescendo urge you to verify information before sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udeab Don\u2019t let AI-made visuals flood your feed with fear and fake news! Verify before you amplify. Stay informed and help stop the spread of misinformation during times of crisis. Transparency is key in building trust, not chaos. \ud83d\udc50 #TrustAndVerify<\/a> #StopFakeNews<\/a> #SriLanka<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/stlyeMMw24<\/a><\/p>— Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka \ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\uddf0 (@factcrescendosl) November 28, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>