Giant Albino Turtle Photo Debunked as AI Fake

COZUMEL, Mexico — An image depicting a giant albino turtle allegedly discovered by fishermen in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, spread rapidly across social media platforms. However, the viral story has been confirmed as false, with experts determining the photograph was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

News outlets, including the portal “Así Mazatlán,” disseminated the “astonishing event,” claiming the specimen was over 500 years old and had been captured by fishermen from the island. This claim was debunked by scientific fact, as no known turtle species lives for such an extended period.

According to specialists, the world's longest-living turtles, the Galápagos giant tortoises, do not exceed 200 years. The documented case of Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise that recently turned 191 years old, was cited by Smithsonian Magazine. The previous record was held by Tu’i Malila, a tortoise from Madagascar that lived 188 years from 1777 to 1965.

The longevity of turtles is largely attributed to their slow metabolism. This slower bodily function reduces cellular wear and tear and the onset of diseases, allowing them to outlive numerous other species. They also possess the ability to withstand long periods without food or water by entering states comparable to hibernation, during which some species can remain submerged for months.

Image Analysis Reveals AI Artifacts

The image was revealed to be AI-generated due to several inconsistencies. The faces of the fishermen, supposedly from Cozumel, lack detail, and their clothing is not appropriate for Quintana Roo's hot climate. A mountain is also visible in the background, which puzzled internet users as the state is not known for its mountainous terrain.

Further doubt was cast on the image's authenticity when various media outlets placed the giant albino turtle in different parts of the world. While some asserted it was found in Cozumel, others claimed it was sighted in Cairo, Egypt—a claim that was also subsequently debunked.

Currently, there is no official record indicating the appearance of giant albino turtles, let alone on the island of Cozumel. Meanwhile, visitors and tourists will have to content themselves with the whale shark, a species of surprising size that frequently visits the beaches of Holbox between May and the first half of September.