Siliguri | June 23, 2026
A viral social media claim alleging that a rare white anaconda was spotted in the Teesta River near Siliguri has been found to be false, with no credible evidence supporting the report.
The claim, which has circulated widely on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms, generated curiosity and concern among residents. However, an examination of available records found no official confirmation from wildlife authorities, forest officials, or recognized news organizations regarding such a sighting.
Wildlife experts point out that anacondas are native to South America, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, and do not occur naturally in India. A white anaconda would most likely be an albino variant, an extremely rare condition even within the species' native habitat.
Experts say that if such an animal were genuinely discovered in India, it would immediately attract the attention of wildlife authorities and conservation agencies, triggering a major investigation.
While snakes are occasionally spotted in the Siliguri-Teesta region, recent incidents have involved species such as pythons and cobras, not anacondas. No evidence has emerged linking the viral images or videos to the Teesta River.
Fact-checkers believe the footage may have been taken from unrelated videos filmed abroad or generated using artificial intelligence, a growing source of wildlife misinformation online.
Authorities urge the public to verify sensational wildlife claims through official sources before sharing them on social media. Spreading unverified information can create unnecessary panic and confusion.
Verdict
False / Hoax
There is currently no verified report, official wildlife record, or credible evidence of a white anaconda being spotted in the Teesta River near Siliguri. The viral claim appears to be misinformation.
