Fact check: Did a Panda really walk like a human behind a zookeeper in a viral video? Here's what we know

A bizarre zoo video has left social media users doing a double take after viral footage surfaced on the internet showing what appeared to be a giant panda casually walking upright like a human. The clip, which quickly went viral online, captured the animal moving on two legs behind a masked zookeeper while astonished visitors watched from outside the enclosure. As the unusual footage spread across platforms, viewers began debating whether they were witnessing rare animal behaviour or something far stranger. Let's find out the facts behind this.


As soon as the video surfaced on the internet, it quickly sparked a debate. One user wrote on Instagram, "Maybe this is AI, but I sure wish it was true."

While one said, "Since everything can be made by AI now, I don’t know what to believe 😂."

One asked, "Is this AI?"

"I like how the panda stopped when he turned around 🤣," one joked.

Another added, "This is AI. The bamboo was a giveaway. It appears in its hands and grows long as the panda bites it."

"That's a man in a suit 🤣🤣."

Well, despite convincing many viewers at first glance, the viral video is not authentic and fake, as per Prime Timer. The footage appears to have been created using artificial intelligence rather than capturing a real-life moment at a zoo.

In the clip, the panda is seen walking upright behind a zookeeper before dropping to its knees as the handler appears to pat it on the head. The animal then picks up a piece of bamboo and begins eating it, adding to the illusion of realism.

The video has attracted millions of views online, with many users initially questioning whether the behaviour was genuine. However, the clip has since been identified as AI-generated content rather than actual footage of a panda.


AI-generated animal videos have become increasingly widespread across social media platforms, often attracting millions of views due to their realistic appearance and entertainment nature. However, experts have raised concerns about the trend, warning that such content can mislead viewers by portraying animals in ways that do not reflect their natural behaviour.