A digitally created image of a bear, generated using artificial intelligence as part of a prank, sparked a police response in Russia’s Far East after it circulated widely among local residents. The incident occurred in Magdagachi, Amur region, where concerns about bear encounters have been heightened due to increased animal populations and scarcity of natural food sources.

In September, a woman used ChatGPT to produce an image depicting a large brown bear walking down a residential street. She sent the image to a friend as a joke. However, the image quickly spread beyond its intended audience, prompting alarmed calls to local law enforcement.

During court proceedings, authorities described how the prank "quickly got out of control" as residents expressed fear, leading to the mobilization of police resources to investigate the reported sighting. The area has experienced increased bear activity amid poor berry and pine nut harvests, contributing to rising caution in local communities.

The woman later contacted police to admit she had created the fabricated image. As a result, she was fined approximately £136 for causing unnecessary public concern and diverting police efforts. Officials emphasized ongoing vigilance in the region due to the potential risk posed by wildlife encounters during this period.