FACT CHECK: Is the story of Mangalore's mermaid real?
A video of a woman whose lower body is covered in fish scales is circulating on social media. Users claim she is a mermaid who was sighted at Mangalore beach in Karnataka.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 22 Oct 2021 5:30 AM GMT
HYDERABAD: A video of a woman whose lower body is covered in fish scales is circulating on social media. Users claim she is a mermaid who was sighted at Mangalore beach in Karnataka.
The 'mermaid' can be seen lying on the sand, tangled in ropes and garbage, and growling at a few men.
Social media users are sharing the video with the claim, "Viral Video of a Mermaid on Mangalore Beach."
FACT CHECK:
The video does not show a real-life mermaid.
NewsMeter found the longer version of the same video on YouTube that was uploaded on June 7, 2021. The video is titled 'Scream of the Mermaid' and is a short film made by verified YouTube channel 'Trip Pisso' based out of Sri Lanka. The video was made for 'World Oceans Day' that's celebrated on 8th June.
The entire video aims to discuss the importance of protecting and conserving the ocean and the consequences of dumping garbage into it. At 6:27 minutes, the screen carries the text, "Let's protect the ocean that gives us oxygen. Let's fight against ocean pollution."
Moreover, NewsMeter also found a behind-the-scenes video of the short film on the 'Trip Pisso' Facebook page. A synopsis about the film was also posted by Udaya on Facebook.
Evidently, it is clear that the viral video does not show a real-life mermaid at Mangalore beach. It is a clipping taken from an ocean awareness film made in Sri Lanka.
Thus, the claim is false.
