Internet abuzz after rare pink dolphin spotted in US waters: but is it real?

Social media was abuzz this week after images of a pink dolphin, allegedly spotted off the North Carolina coast, fascinated thousands. Users on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, were particularly intrigued. However, upon closer inspection, many suspected the images were fake, potentially AI-generated.

The photos, which showed the dolphin in the same pose in each shot, had an unusual plastic appearance. This sparked skepticism among viewers. One clear indication of the images being fabricated was the word 'cola' visible on the dolphin's forehead upon zooming in. This suggested the dolphin might be a prop from a soda brand commercial.

Pink dolphins, also known as Amazon river dolphins or boto, are native to South America. They inhabit freshwater in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. North Carolina is thousands of kilometers away from these regions, making such a sighting highly improbable.

One social media user posted images with the caption, "Something you don't see every day. A rare PINK dolphin. The pink dolphin was discovered stranded on a North Carolina beach having been washed out of its natural habitat. The dolphin has been returned to the ocean."

Another user commented, "Pink dolphin photographed off the coast of North Carolina. I would throw my beer down and get right if I saw this! LOL."

Despite the excitement, the lack of official confirmation from North Carolina wildlife authorities added to the doubts. The authorities have never verified the presence of a pink dolphin in the area. Many social media users pointed out these inconsistencies. "People keep sharing that fake AI pink dolphin on Facebook, we're doomed," one person tweeted.

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Another user added, "Half of my Facebook feed is sharing the most obvious fake post I've ever seen. No, a pink dolphin did not wash up on Topsail Island and pose for professional quality photos before swimming away."

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In contrast to this dubious sighting, a genuinely rare sight occurred last year in California. A group of whale watchers witnessed a white-colored dolphin named Casper swimming alongside their boat. Casper's unique color was attributed to either albinism or leucism, conditions that reduce pigmentation. This genuine encounter stood in stark contrast to the suspected hoax of the pink dolphin in North Carolina.

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