A TikTok user has ignited debate by sharing fabricated footage showing crocodiles in Majorca, in what appears to be an attempt to discourage tourists from visiting the popular Spanish destination.
The misleading videos garnered thousands of views on the social media platform, despite being fake.
The false content risks damaging the Balearic island's tourism-dependent economy, while potentially creating unwarranted alarm among potential visitors.
The fake videos represent a concerning example of how social media can spread disinformation rapidly.
Tourism officials and local authorities have yet to comment on the viral posts, which continue to circulate online despite their misleading nature.
Analysis of the viral footage reveals its true origins lie far from the Mediterranean shores of Majorca.
The clips were actually recorded in tropical regions where crocodiles are indigenous species.
PA | Majorca
The flora and terrain captured in the footage are characteristic of tropical ecosystems, entirely distinct from the Mediterranean landscape typical of the Balearic Islands.
Experts examining the clips have noted clear environmental markers inconsistent with Majorca's geography.
The vegetation patterns and natural features visible throughout the recordings align with habitats where crocodiles naturally thrive, rather than the Spanish island's distinctive Mediterranean climate and topography.
The deceptive campaign coincides with mounting frustration amongst Majorca's residents regarding mass tourism's effects on their island.
Local communities and conservation organisations have expressed increasing discontent about visitor numbers overwhelming the popular Spanish destination.
Whilst some online viewers have treated the clips as satirical social commentary, critics warn that spreading false information could damage the island's financial stability, given its substantial dependence on the visitor economy.
The island's sole authentic crocodiles can be found at Safari Zoo in Porto Cristo.
TIKTOK
|The TikTok video
The facility houses a saltwater crocodile, scientifically known as Crocodylus porosus, amongst the planet's most formidable reptilian predators.
Meanwhile, Palma features its own crocodilian connection through local folklore.
A three-metre floating sculpture now graces a lake in Parc de la Mar, honouring the mythical Drac de na Coca legend.
The artwork, designed by Ricard Chiang, serves as a permanent installation celebrating Palma's cultural traditions.
Its creation followed an earlier incident when municipal workers discovered a plastic crocodile in the same lake, initially mistaking it for a genuine reptile before realising it formed part of a performance art piece.