Lions were released on Russian streets by Vladimir Putin to force people inside.
Speak Now, Many countries are enforcing a lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, which has already claimed more than 13,000 people and infected over 3 lakh globally. Social media is full of measures taken by respective governments to fight the menace., Amid this, a post is going viral claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin has released 800 tigers and lions across the country\s streets to force people inside. Facebook page "Humour TV" posted a picture of a lion on an empty street with the caption, "Vladmir Putin has dropped 800 Tigers and lions all over the country to push people to stay home.", Till the filing of this story, the post was already shared more than 18,000 times. The post is viral on Twitter as well., India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found the claim to be false. This picture is from Johannesburg in South Africa from 2016., AFWA probe, With the help of Google reverse image search, we found a report by "Daily Mail" published on April 15, 2016. According to this report, the lion, called Columbus, was brought for filming by a production crew in Johannesburg., However, another report by "New York Post" says the filming was not approved. This report quotes the Johannesburg Roads Agency as saying, "The filming had not been approved and the film company took a risk by springing the lion without getting the OK to close several roads.", The same picture is also viral on WhatsApp with a similar claim. There is a TV \Breaking News\ graphic plate imposed on the picture which says, "Russia unleashed more than 500 lions on its streets to ensure that people are staying indoors during this pandemic outbreak.", AFWA has found that the graphic plate does not belong to any news channel. It has been created by using a website where you can develop your own "breaking news"., Therefore, it is clear that the picture of the lion roaming on the streets has nothing to do with Russia or Putin. This picture is from Johannesburg in South Africa from 2016 during a film shoot., The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie., , What doctors know about Covid & its treatment after 6 months of pandemic, What happened in Galwan: Detailed account of brutal June 15 battle, Exclusive: Images from Galwan show Chinese build-up intact after carnage, India holds fort, Covid-19 Tracker: State-wise data, daily trends, patients cured, deaths and more, Get Real India: Doctors not paid stipends for 16 months in Karnataka, Watch: How China tortures Uighur Muslims by forcing birth control measures, Private firms to soon run passenger trains, Nepal PM Oli chairs emergency cabinet meet as calls for resignation grow, DK Shivakumar takes charge as new Karnataka Congress president, India records 18,653 fresh coronavirus cases, 507 deaths in a day, Unlock 2.0 begins from today: More domestic flights to operate, containment zones under strict vigil, more, Indo-China border dispute: No headway in 3rd Corp Commander-level talks, , Copyright © 2020 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today, Copyright © 2020 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today
Fact Check: No, Putin has not unleashed lions on Russian streets to enforce Corona lockdown - Fact Check News