FACT CHECK: Photos show mangrove reserve boardwalk in Australia, not in Bohol

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

While there is a site called SAVIMA Mangrove Adventure in Bohol, the photos in the post show the mangrove boardwalk at the East Point Reserve in Darwin, Australia

Claim: Photos show a glass-like boardwalk at the mangrove forest of the San Vicente Mangrove Association (SAVIMA)’s Mangrove Adventure in Albuquerque, Bohol.

Rating: FALSE

Why fact-checked this: As of writing, the Facebook post bearing the claim has 3,200 reactions, 678 comments, and 1,200 shares.

Some commenters, believing the image to show the boardwalk in Bohol, expressed plans to visit the mangrove area, writing “Let’s visit,” and “Next destination” in the comment section.

The facts: The photos show the mangrove boardwalk at the East Point Reserve in Darwin, Australia, not in Bohol. While the images depict a glass-like surface, the boardwalk is actually a raised aluminium walkway that, at high tide, looks to be submerged in water.

The photos circulating online were initially uploaded by the Facebook page “Tagbuane Vlog” with the caption, “Pagka nindot ani oi. As kaha ni dapit?” (This is so nice. Where is this place?)

While the page mentioned in the comment section that the photos were of the mangrove boardwalk in Australia, the Facebook page “BOHOL PHL” reuploaded the photos and claimed that it was from SAVIMA Mangrove Adventure in Bohol.

The boardwalk located at the 56-hectare mangrove forest in Bohol is made out of wood, not aluminium or glass.

Other fact-check: Fact-Check PH, an independent fact-checking initiative founded by Assortedge, also rated the misleading Facebook post as false on June 15.

Mangrove areas in the Philippines: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and environmental groups are pushing for the protection of mangroves, especially in areas frequently hit by typhoons, as the Philippines’ best shield against the effects of climate change. A 2017 report by the Maritime Review found that out of 82 provinces in the Philippines, 66 have mangrove forests. – Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com

Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program.

This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.