A reported sighting of a deadly African snake in a Santa Ana, California, neighborhood prompted an immediate response from authorities.
Police officers and professional snake wranglers were sent to handle what was described as a Gaboon viper, but the photo that fueled the alarm was later identified as AI-generated.
Here's what to know
According to CBS News, Santa Ana police said the suspected snake was described as a four- to five-foot Gaboon viper seen in a tree in a residential area near Main Street and Edinger Avenue.
Joel Ciprian, a Santa Ana resident, said that he saw the snake at a neighbor's residence. He showed the image to neighbors and sent the photo to police, triggering a community alert.
Three days after the initial report, Ciprian admitted to police that "the photo was AI-generated and that the report was false."
Before that admission, the claim had already sent officers and snake wranglers out to search for the animal and try to contain it.
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California law makes it illegal to knowingly file a false police report, and the penalties can include jail time.
More background
Gaboon vipers are native to the rainforests of Central, West, and East Africa. They are known for geometric markings in brown, pink, and purple, along with stripes and diamond-shaped patterns.
According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the snakes rarely bite humans, but a bite can be fatal. In California, owning or transporting one requires a special permit.
What's being done?
Police said they could not rely on early speculation that the photo might be AI-generated and still had to investigate and follow up to determine what had happened.
"AI-generated images can look very real, and when false information is shared as fact, it can quickly create unnecessary fear, confusion, and concern in our community," the police statement read.
Ciprian has not been taken into custody, and an SAPD spokesperson said the incident remains under investigation. SAPD Officer Natalie Garcia noted that no arrests have been made, but a written report captured details of Ciprian's admission.
"And so we submit this to the district attorney's office, and we're hoping that we can press charges against him," Garcia said.
Where can I learn more?
Reports of venomous snakes near homes can trigger urgent responses, whether the danger is real or not. These articles cover deadly snakes moving into populated areas, rescue efforts, and rising calls from worried residents.
• Scientists warn venomous snakes are moving toward populated coastlines as habitat shifts put more residents at risk.
• During Delhi's monsoon season, officials say snakes invade local communities with growing frequency.
• Across the Mid-South, experts say snake calls surge 50 percent as homes admit more reptiles.
• In Arkansas, viral footage showed snakes taking over a vacant home before experts explained the harmless cause.
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