Claim:
A video shared online in early 2026 authentically shows a lion, possibly an Atlas lion or a Tibetan snow lion, walking through a snowy setting.
Rating:
Rating: Fake
In early 2026, a video circulated online purportedly showing a lion walking through a snowy setting. Social media users claimed the footage showed either a mythical Tibetan snow lion or the extinct Barbary lion, with the latter sometimes referred to by its alternate name, Atlas lion. Another user said the clip depicted the lion climbing Mount Everest.
For example, on Feb. 26, an Instagram user posted the brief, eight-second video with overlaid text reading, “The Tibetan Snow Lion.”
Days later, on March 6, a Facebook user posted a horizontally flipped version of the footage that featured a Spanish-language text caption translating to English as, “Did they record the Atlas lion?”
Another user posted the clip on both Instagram and TikTok (archived) on Feb. 28, writing, “Did you hear about the lion that’s randomly climbing Mount Everest? What do you think he’s up to?”
In short, the lion video is fake and was created using an artificial intelligence tool.
A reverse image search with Google Images found that TikTok user @king.efrin first posted the AI-generated footage (archived) on Feb. 24. The caption says the animal depicted is the mythical Tibetan snow lion.
Other AI-generated clips @king.efrin has posted include videos of birds lighting fireworks and holding firearms. Another post (archived) features multiple clips of lions fighting crocodiles. Each video lasts for a brief period of time, consistent with the short duration of AI-generated footage. Some of the lion-crocodile clips include voices of people talking in an overly-alert manner, an AI indicator that is also consistent with the way the tools generate vocals of people in emotional situations.
Snopes contacted @king.efrin via a TikTok private message to ask for the name of the AI tool the account manager used to create the inauthentic footage. We will update this article if we receive further information.
More alleged Tibetan snow lion videos
Prior to the in-question video, which appeared to feature a yak on the very left side of the frame missing one rear leg at the end, @king.efrin published two other inauthentic clips supposedly showing a Tibetan snow lion — a creature that does not exist in reality — in a snowy setting.
The caption of one of the clips (archived) clearly states that the Tibetan snow lion is a mythical creature. Therefore, this can be considered an admission that any videos featuring the creature are fake, which further proves that the in-question footage could not be authentic. It read, in part:
Some symbols may not be recorded in history, but they will remain etched in the memory of the plateau forever. In Tibetan culture, the snow lion is not just a legend, but a deeply held belief … This mythical creature, often depicted with a majestic mane and vibrant colors, is not merely a legendary figure; it embodies the essence of courage and strength within Tibetan identity.
Another video (archived) shows other AI-generated views of the mythical creature.
For further reading, we previously reported that images truly show a real — not AI-generated — snowy owl with bright orange coloring.
Sources:
Germain, Thomas. “The Number One Sign You’re Watching an AI Video.” BBC News, 3 Nov. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251031-the-number-one-sign-you-might-be-watching-ai-video.
In Vajrayana, the Four Directional Dignities — Garuda, Snow Lion, Tiger and Dragon — Are Not Just for Prayer Flags; They Are Profoundly Powerful Guardians of Our Mind – Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation. 29 Sept. 2023, https://buddhaweekly.com/in-vajrayana-the-four-directional-dignities-garuda-snow-lion-tiger-and-dragon-are-not-just-for-prayer-flags-they-are-profoundly-powerful-guardians-of-our-mind/.
“Legend of the SnowLion.” SnowLion Tours, 10 Apr. 2023, https://snowliontours.com/about/legend-of-the-snowlion/.
Liles, Jordan. “Video Claiming to Show ICE Agents Deported Pizza Hut Employees Isn’t What It Seems.” Snopes, 13 Nov. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/pizza-hut-ice-video/.
Rafferty, John P. “Barbary Lion.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/animal/Barbary-lion.