Fact Check: Alleged image of coyote pressing crosswalk button in Arizona isn't what it seems

Key Points:

• A viral video and image circulating on social media in July and August 2026 claimed to show a coyote standing on its hind legs to press a crosswalk button before crossing a road near Payson, Arizona, with the story asserting the animal used the button 147 times without fail.
• Investigation revealed the image was AI-generated and the accompanying story fabricated, with no credible news reports or wildlife sources verifying the event or the existence of a "White Canyon Trailhead" near Payson.
• The original video likely originated from the Warm Heart Chronicles YouTube channel, which produces AI-generated images and fictional stories, as confirmed by reverse image searches and lack of real-world matches.
• Google Maps searches disproved the location details in the story, and the concept may have been inspired by a 2007 Arizona wildlife safety project involving underpasses, not pedestrian crosswalks.
• This case highlights the spread of AI-created misinformation on social media, emphasizing the need for verification from authoritative sources before accepting unusual wildlife behavior claims.