FACT CHECK: Viral picture of `baby albino bat' is piece of art

Netizens believe that this image of the bat is real and have captioned it as: "How cute is this, an albino bat. Looks like a Teletubby with wings!".

FACT CHECK:

The image of the bat is not real. The claim is fake.

NewsMeter performed a reverse image search and found the same image on Instagram from October 9, 2019. The account is run by Anna Yastanna, an artist and seller of handmade wool toys based in the Siberian city of Omsk. As per Yastanna's profile on Etsy, the viral image seems to be a toy and is labeled: "Felted White Little Bat/Albino Bat/ Plush Bat Toy".

https://www.etsy.com/shop/YASTANNA

Baby Albino Vampire Plushie toy, was also found on other websites. However, these are scams of Yastanna's products. In 2020, Yastanna had posted on her Instagram clearly stating that she sells her works only on Etsy and all other stores are scammers. Yastanna has sold several such animal figurines on Etsy and they featured on her Instagram and Facebook accounts too.

https://www.levelthreevip.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=128685751&pr=31.99

https://www.omo-7.xyz/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=90139080&pr=29.99

In response to the posts of the toy being real, Yastanna told AFP: "This toy was made by me two years ago. It was an order."

Clearly, the claim of the bat being real is false.