Viral image of a ‘hero dog’ rescuing a kitten from Thai floods moved millions to tears — until AI experts spotted a detail we all missed
A striking image of a dog carrying a kitten through floodwaters in Thailand recently drew millions of viewers online. The photo seemed to show a heroic moment, as the dog waded toward a rescue boat with the tiny animal clutched gently in its mouth. But questions soon arose about whether the scene was real. The social media posts that shared the image cited it as taken in southern Songkhla province, and a timestamp in some versions shows November 22, 2025, at around 8:00 p.m. At first glance, it appeared to capture an extraordinary act of animal compassion amid a devastating flood, but soon experts began noticing details that were missed by most viewers.
As reported by the BBC on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, experts have now suggested that the images are likely manipulated using artificial intelligence. The picture shows several irregularities, including the cat’s fur and hind legs merging with the dog’s paw, a pattern often seen in AI-generated images. Dr. Peter Bentley, a computer scientist at University College London, explained, “The image of the animals on the boat shows signs of manipulation by generative AI.” He also pointed out that the lighting on the cat’s head did not match its placement under the towel, suggesting that parts of the image may have been added and merged digitally. Google’s Synth ID Detector further confirmed with “very high confidence” that all three images related to the rescue scene were created using AI tools.
The timing and setting also raised doubts. In southern Thailand, sunset at this time of year occurs roughly two hours earlier than the timestamp indicates, meaning the photos appeared to be taken in daylight despite the evening marker. While the photos circulated widely on social media, including posts on Malaysian Facebook groups and a viral X post, no official news outlets or Thai authorities had verified the rescue or confirmed the animals’ identities. As per The Rakyat Post, a Facebook user, Alexander Tan, who shared one version in a Friends 4 Thailand group, described it as “just a desperate little hero trying to save a friend,” capturing the sense of loyalty and care that resonated with viewers, even if the moment itself may not have been real.
Thailand has been facing historic flooding, described as a "once in 300 years" storm, with floodwaters rising over eight feet in some areas, according to the Daily Star. At least 19 people have died, and approximately 1.9 million are affected. Furthermore, according to the Society for Conservation Biology, AI affects not only simple rescue stories but also wildlife. AI-generated images and videos can create false portrayals of animals, showing unrealistic behaviors, exaggerated emotions, or impossible interspecies friendships. These synthetic depictions can mislead the public about animal behavior, distort perceptions of social and cognitive abilities, and make people believe endangered species are more plentiful or at lower risk than they actually are. They can also encourage unsafe interactions with wildlife and increase interest in keeping wild animals as pets, complicating conservation efforts.