World News
Fact-checkers and officials debunk claims that migrants in Ceuta are harming cats
Viral images and online rumors alleging violence against cats by newly arrived migrants in the Spanish enclave were found to be AI-generated or taken out of context.
The short version
- Online rumors and media reports alleged that migrants who arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco were killing and consuming local cats.
- Investigations by fact-checkers and local animal welfare groups revealed that viral photos were taken years prior in other parts of Spain or modified using artificial intelligence.
- Ceuta animal rescue officials and municipal workers confirmed no increase in cat mutilations or missing feral cats in their care.
- Unverified claims persist regarding the hunting of local birds, though journalists have not publicly verified supporting evidence.
Key facts
- Photos shared online claiming to show dead cats in Ceuta were traced to earlier events in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.[France 24]
- An image purportedly depicting a migrant abusing a cat contained a SynthID watermark indicating it was modified using artificial intelligence from an El País video frame.[France 24]
- The local charity Agrevice Ceuta reported that none of the 500 feral cats under its care were missing following the arrival of migrants.[France 24]
- The Unified Association of the Civil Guard in Ceuta rejected the claims as false, and municipal workers reported no findings of mutilated cats.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
- Allegations by a conservative outlet that migrants killed local seagulls and pigeons due to hunger remain unverified with no public proof provided.[France 24]