Read on Twitter
Here's an example of how "wildlife rebound" myth stuff spreads, even in media. This LA Times piece quotes a local hotel employee saying Yosemite bear population has "quadrupled," based on his own casual observation. No experts quoted. Becomes the headline: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-13/yosemite-national-park-closed-wildlife-waterfalls-muir
It's not JUST viral social media posts that spread this misinformation. Irresponsible headlines on legit stories can do the same thing and have the same detrimental effect. Is wildlife "rebounding" in Yosemite? This piece doesn't get into it, but the headline makes a bold claim.
My first story on this viral phenomenon: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/03/coronavirus-pandemic-fake-animal-viral-social-media-posts/
And then my follow-up, on how the misplaced "wildlife rebound" myth can actively harm real conservation work: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/04/coronavirus-fake-animal-news-part-two/
LA Times just changed the headline on the story. Original vs. new:
