A blurry video of a seal-like animal gliding across Navi Mumbai's mudflats near Atal Setu went viral on Monday, sparking curiosity on social media and among wildlife groups. While many users identified it as a seal, marine experts who reviewed the footage believe it is more likely a smooth-coated otter. There are also discussions over whether the clip is genuine or AI-generated. The Instagram video received thousands of likes and generated interactions running into lakhs.

Verify claims

Pawan Sharma, president of the NGO Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare, urged people not to identify wildlife based on appearance alone and advised them to consult researchers, forest department officials, or experienced wildlife enthusiasts before sharing such claims. He said, “The incident highlights how social media can spread misinformation, citing the recent Bandra blue whale, which was widely shared online as a humpback whale.”