Nagpur: The city was gripped by fresh panic on Friday after AI-generated videos and images showing a “leopard” casually walking in front of a Nagpur school went viral on social media. The fabricated visuals struck a raw nerve, as residents were still shaken by the recent leopard attack in Pardi that left seven people injured.
Circulated widely on WhatsApp and social media groups, the fake clips created confusion and fear, disrupting daily life across several localities. Many residents, still haunted by the real-life incident earlier this week, began treating the viral posts as genuine sightings.
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A resident of Besa said even routine services were affected. “Our milk and essentials supplier refused to enter certain pockets, saying videos of a leopard roaming the city are going viral. People are claiming the leopard seen in Pardi was not alone and that others are now trapped inside the city,” the resident said.
However, a closer scrutiny of the visuals reveals clear signs of artificial intelligence manipulation, with an unmistakable ‘made-by-AI’ appearance. Despite this, the Forest Department maintained a cautious stance. Officials declined to speak on record due to protocol restrictions during the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly session in Nagpur, suggesting that queries be directed to Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, who could not be reached for comment.
Senior forest officials, however, said no information, real or fake, is taken lightly. “Every input about wildlife sightings is verified. Leopards have entered city limits twice within a month, so we cannot afford to ignore any alert, especially with the Assembly session underway,” an official said.
At the same time, the department issued a stern warning against the creation and circulation of misleading content. Officials said strict action will be initiated not only against those generating such fake videos but also against individuals who forward or amplify them on social media platforms.
Forest officials reiterated that while leopard movement is frequently reported from Nagpur’s peripheral areas, especially near farmlands and fringe settlements, the last two confirmed incidents occurred well within city limits. Both sightings were close to the Bhandewadi dumpyard, a known hotspot where leopards often venture in search of stray dogs attracted by food waste.
Authorities have appealed to citizens to avoid panic, verify information before sharing it, and rely only on official updates to prevent unnecessary fear and disruption.
