Coimbatore: An AI-generated picture of a leopard allegedly roaming inside a residential area in Vellalore was widely circulated on social media on Saturday. Forest department officials have issued a warning against people circulating rumours about leopard movements in residential areas in and around Coimbatore.Rumours initially began after a leopard was caught on the surveillance cameras of a gear manufacturing company on the bank of the Noyyal River on November 12. The video circulated on social media, spread panic among locals. A while later a footage of a jungle cat caught on camera went viral as people mistook it for a leopard.District forest officer N Jayaraj said forest staff had inspected the respective areas after each instance and found no evidence of a leopard. “However, we are still continuously monitoring the areas in question,” he said.He further warned of legal action against people who spread rumours and create panic among the public. “Some people create AI images of wild animals and share them on social media as a prank. Strict action will be taken against those indulging in such acts, he cautioned.
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