AI snake images waste Hyderabad rescue resources

HYDERABAD: A new problem is slithering into Hyderabad's emergency response system — AI-generated images of snakes. Rescue teams in the city say they are increasingly receiving fake photographs of snakes, often submitted through helplines and messaging apps, that turn out to be nothing more than digital fabrications.

The trend is wasting precious time and diverting resources from legitimate rescue requests, officials involved in snake handling and wildlife management told The Hindu.

How AI images are tricking rescuers

The images, which appear highly realistic at first glance, are often generated using artificial intelligence tools. Some are shared as pranks, while others may be attempts to get a quick response from authorities. Either way, the result is the same — rescue teams rush to locations that have no snake at all.

"We get calls with photos attached, and sometimes the snake in the picture looks very convincing," said a wildlife rescuer based in the city, who asked not to be named. "But when we reach the spot, there is nothing. It's a waste of fuel, manpower, and time."

In a city where snake sightings are common during the monsoon season, the volume of such calls has added to the pressure on already stretched resources.

Impact on genuine emergencies

Each false alarm means a delayed response to a real snake sighting, where a venomous reptile could pose a danger to residents. Rescuers say that in some cases, they have had to prioritise calls based on urgency, but fake images make it harder to assess which situations are genuine.

"We have to treat every call as real until we confirm otherwise," another rescuer said. "But when we're chasing a non-existent snake, someone with an actual cobra in their backyard is waiting longer."

The problem is not unique to Hyderabad, but the city's dense population and frequent human-snake encounters make it particularly acute here.

Officials urge verification before sharing

Wildlife officials and independent rescuers are now appealing to the public to verify images before sending them to emergency helplines. They suggest that people check the source of the image, look for signs of digital manipulation, and when in doubt, simply describe the snake over the phone instead of relying on photos.

"A clear description is often more useful than a picture," said a forest department official. "We don't need a photo to respond. If there's a snake, we will come and handle it."

Authorities are also exploring ways to flag or filter suspected AI-generated images, though no formal system has been announced yet.

What to watch next

As AI tools become more accessible, the misuse of synthetic images is likely to grow, not just in wildlife rescue but in other emergency services too. City officials are expected to hold discussions on how to address the issue, possibly through public awareness campaigns or stricter verification protocols.

Until then, rescuers are asking citizens to be responsible. "If you see a snake, call us. Just don't send us a picture that isn't real," the first rescuer said.