Don’t go ape for images of masked chimps said to be raiding Congo markets

Claim:

In October 2025, a composite image circulated online authentically showing trail cam footage of mask-wearing chimpanzees, who were raiding local markets, roaming through woodlands in “the Congo.”

Rating:

In October 2025, social media pages shared a composite image purportedly showing screenshots from trail cam footage of mask-wearing chimpanzees roaming through woodlands in “the Congo,” though the shots did not specify whether it was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of the Congo.

One such Facebook page claimed the apes pictured had been “raiding local markets” (archived), while another said locals referred to them as “the masked raiders” (archived).

The former post said the animals began “wearing makeshift masks” after authorities cracked down on the primates after one was “taken away” for “repeatedly stealing food.” The latter added that the masks were “made of leaves, bark, and old cloth” and that it was proof the chimpanzees had learned how to conceal their identity and work as a team. The image was also shared on X (archived).

In short, the images were fake and there was no evidence that the story was real.

Telltale signs images and story were fake

A RevEye reverse image search of the entire composite image, and another Google Lens reverse image search of the individual screenshots, revealed no evidence of either the composite, or the individual images, being posted online prior to the social media posts.

Additionally, a Google search for “chimpanzees wearing masks” returned no credible news coverage, press releases or published research papers on a subject that, according to the social media posts, “left researchers stunned.” If the images were authentic, news media or nature outlets would have likely covered them.

Within the images, the front-most chimpanzees in both alleged trail cam screenshots appeared to have misplaced or extra back legs. Additionally, the front chimpanzee in the bottom screenshot looked to have only three fingers and a thumb.

The images were consistent with the style of fake photos that the Facebook page StoryTime (archived) regularly posts. The page appeared to be the source of these images and this story. Its Intro section read: “story (noun) – an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment.” The manager or managers of the page also labeled themselves as a “digital creator.” 

StoryTime’s posts (archived) are often accompanied by pictures that are composites of two or three digitally generated images. They are generally edited to appear more realistic and more difficult to detect as fakes. For example, StoryTime generally posts low quality “photos” that are grainy or blurry, often to the point that fine details are difficult to distinguish. Additionally, the page often generates or edits in nonsensical or inaccurately structured image file information, especially for its supposed trail cam photos. 

In this case, the chimpanzee images were out of focus and generally blurry, making it difficult to distinguish any imperfections in the trees in the background. Additionally, a black bar at the bottom of the composite contained image file information. While that information appeared to be nonsensical — a common mistake artificial intelligence (AI) tools make when generating text and numbers in images — it was difficult to determine with certainty because the file information was partially cut off. 

Snopes has fact-checked numerous StoryTime posts and images, including another fabricated tale about chimpanzees in the Congo supposedly domesticating penguins.