Iranna, a young man from Kavali village in Koppal, posted an AI‑generated picture of a tiger on Instagram, claiming the animal was seen on a nearby hill. He said the hoax was meant to skip daily‑wage labour his parents rely on; his parents, who depend on such work for their livelihood, had asked him to help. The viral post alarmed forest officials, who visited his home, obtained a confession and reportedly disciplined him, adding to villagers’ existing fear of wildlife after recent bear and tiger sightings in the Koppal area.
The image was later identified as AI‑generated, and its realistic appearance unsettled residents who feared a real tiger presence. Authorities noted that similar AI‑crafted videos have previously confused villagers, highlighting the danger such technology poses to communities unfamiliar with digital manipulation.
Forest Department and police officials stressed the need to take action against those who create and circulate misleading visual content, to prevent panic and safeguard public safety.