The Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has not ruled out the possibility that a viral photo showing a crocodile in Sungai Kinta near Kampung Pisang was actually generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Perhilitan Perak director Yusoff Shariff said initial checks revealed several similar images circulating online showing other animals — including a hippopotamus — at the same location.
“It’s fake. It’s an AI-edited photo. So far, we have not received any complaints or verified reports about a crocodile sighting there,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Yusoff warned that spreading such misleading information could cause unnecessary alarm among the public, especially anglers who frequent the area.
He added that while Perhilitan has no direct authority over those spreading false news, action can be taken by the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“We urge the public not to misuse technology by spreading inaccurate information,” he said.
Earlier, a post went viral on social media warning people — particularly fishing enthusiasts — to be cautious after a supposed sighting of a crocodile near the Kampung Pisang bridge in Batu Gajah. The post included an image showing a crocodile by the riverbank.
