In 2012, Animal Planet aired a two-hour mockumentary called "Mermaid: The Body Found" that many viewers found so convincing, they overwhelmed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with phone calls demanding the truth about the existence of mermaids.
When Animal Planet Convinced America Mermaids Were Real
In 2012, millions of Americans tuned in to Animal Planet expecting nature programming. What they got instead was one of the most successful television hoaxes in cable history—a fake documentary so convincing that a federal agency had to step in and remind everyone that mermaids don't exist.
Mermaids: The Body Found premiered on May 27, 2012, framed as a serious scientific investigation. The two-hour special featured what appeared to be legitimate marine biologists analyzing underwater footage, discussing mysterious sonar recordings, and examining "evidence" of aquatic humanoids. The production values were slick, the tone was documentary-serious, and the "experts" were entirely believable.
Because they were actors.
The Trouble Starts
The show pulled in 1.9 million viewers during its initial broadcast—Animal Planet's most-watched program since the Steve Irwin memorial special in 2006. But unlike typical nature programming, this one came with an unexpected side effect: mass confusion about what was real.
Phone lines at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lit up. Viewers demanded answers. Had the government been hiding evidence of mermaids? Was there a cover-up? Why weren't scientists taking this seriously?
The calls were so overwhelming that NOAA—a federal agency with actual scientific work to do—was forced to publish an official statement on its website on July 2, 2012. The title left no room for ambiguity: "No evidence of aquatic humanoids has ever been found."
Why It Worked So Well
Animal Planet gave almost no indication that Mermaids was fiction. The show used documentary filmmaking techniques, featured staged interviews with "scientists," presented fabricated evidence as real, and employed the network's credibility as an educational channel. Disclaimers were minimal and easy to miss.
The mockumentary also tapped into the aquatic ape hypothesis—a fringe evolutionary theory suggesting humans have aquatic ancestors—lending it an air of scientific legitimacy. Combine that with CGI "footage" and dramatic music, and you have a recipe for viral confusion.
The success sparked a sequel. Mermaids: The New Evidence aired in 2013 and became Animal Planet's most-watched broadcast ever at that time, pulling in even larger audiences despite the controversy.
The Backlash
Scientists and media critics weren't amused. The show was accused of:
- Eroding public trust in scientific institutions and government agencies
- Wasting NOAA resources by forcing the agency to respond to a manufactured controversy
- Blurring the line between education and entertainment on a channel known for nature documentaries
- Exploiting viewers' trust for ratings
The fabrications had real-world consequences. By framing NOAA as part of a conspiracy, the program directed public skepticism toward an agency doing legitimate climate and ocean research.
Yet the show remains a fascinating case study in how presentation shapes perception. With the right tone, production quality, and institutional backing, fiction can feel disturbingly real—even when you're being told that half-human, half-fish creatures are swimming in the ocean.
NOAA's statement remains on their website to this day, a permanent reminder of the time a cable channel forced the federal government to confirm that mermaids are, in fact, mythological.