AI Deepfakes Distort Wildlife Behavior, Impacting Public Perception and Conservation Efforts

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:28:00 +0200

AI-generated videos are spreading across social media, creating deepfakes of wildlife, including the famous Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow. These videos often depict unrealistic or fabricated behaviors, such as eagles giving 'massages' to one another, fooling viewers into thinking they are real. This phenomenon of AI wildlife content is gaining traction on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Some of these videos perpetuate dangerous myths about wildlife behavior, leading to misconceptions and even unsafe interactions with real animals. Experts warn that these fabricated videos could undermine efforts in wildlife conservation by diminishing the perceived urgency to protect endangered species. Moreover, the rise of deepfake animal content might also erode public trust in media, as viewers struggle to distinguish between real and fake footage. Nonprofits, such as Friends of Big Bear Valley, have been receiving complaints from viewers who are disturbed by these fabricate