Owls in Towels3d ago
An Austalian Boobook at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital was pictured in a news article saying the facility struggles to source steady income, meanwhile patient numbers surge. Donate to CWH at https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/wildlife-hospital/donate Source: https://goldcoastbulletin.com.au/190b1acf2eefb4b7305a5f58041a1524 #owlsintowels 💛🦉
Show threadMossHawk2d ago
@owlsintowels I'm here for the *real* owls in the *real* towels. This image is AI-generated...
Show threadsoaproot
@niv @owlsintowels Hmm, if true this seems worth removing or swapping out. I did find an owl image on the website of the rehab org itself: https://currumbinwildlifehospital.org.au/hospital-news/8-barn-owls-receiving-treatment/ (along with lots and lots of koalas, an echidna, and some other birds).
Eight Barn Owls Admitted for Care | Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

Eight barn owls were rescued and admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Learn about their journey to recovery and how you can help support wildlife!

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
Jun 25 at 12:52amWeb
Show threadMossHawk2d ago
@soaproot @owlsintowels I'm assuming it was a mistake as it's not immediately obvious that the image is slop, and this page usually posts real stuff. The source they mentioned is some news site (paywalled). I usually block accounts that post slop but I LOVE Owls In Towels. I HOPE this image is a mistake and not the beginning of a slop trend.
Show threadOwls in Towels1d ago

@niv

Original image: SCOTT POWICK
Uploaded 9 May 2022 https://fb.com/4742960685816332

Show threadMossHawk1d ago
@owlsintowels I don't have FB to view the image - are there more pics from the photographer?
I'd love if it was a real pic but it doesn't seem to be...
Take a look at the stethoscope- on the LHS it becomes white/grey where it meets the towel, even though there's less light on that side. On the RHS it's only joined on one side (where the neck part splits into left and right listening channels). I thought the stethoscope was bent but seeing the full image you can see its lopsided at this joint.
Show threadsoaproot1d ago
@owlsintowels @niv Oh interesting I sort of imagined the image was from the news outlet. Thanks for posting that Facebook link. (I have no particular opinion about what is going on with this image as I don't feel qualified to judge that).
Show threadRich Holmes1d ago
@soaproot @owlsintowels @niv AI slop from May 2022? Seems unlikely. And Google Image Search suggests the image was online in 2021, though on a paywalled site so I can't verify.
Show threadOwls in Towels1d ago
@doctroid
Correct, OG article published 6 Feb 2021 so almost certainly not AI
Show threadMossHawk22h ago
@owlsintowels @doctroid ok!
Glad to see Owls in Towels isn't on the slop train
🦉A wise strategy🦉