Fact Check

Was 'Trans Species Man' Who Identifies as a Deer Shot By Hunters?

A routine review of content labeled satire.

Published Nov. 24, 2020

 ( Franco Atirador/Wikimedia Commons)
Image Via Franco Atirador/Wikimedia Commons
Claim:
A "trans species man" who identifies as a deer was accidentally shot by hunters.

On Nov. 22, 2020, World News Daily Report published an article positing that a "trans species man" who self-identified as a deer was mistakenly shot by a hunter:

TRANS SPECIES MAN WHO SELF-IDENTIFIES AS A DEER ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY HUNTERS

A South Carolina man who self-identifies as a deer has been transported to the hospital via helicopter after being shot by two hunters.

William Tenenbaum, 31, is lying in critical condition according to medical staff at Allendale County Hospital after being mistaken for a deer by two local hunters.

This item was not a factual recounting of real-life events. The article originated with a website that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:

WNDR assumes however all responsibility for the satirical nature of its articles and for the fictional nature of their content. All characters appearing in the articles in this website – even those based on real people – are entirely fictional and any resemblance between them and any persons, living, dead, or undead is purely a miracle.

Although this story originated on a satirical website, it was republished on social media and by other media outlets without any disclaimer labeling it as a work of fiction.

It should also be noted that these pictures do not show a "trans species man" who identifies as a deer. They were taken circa 2009 and show a dancer in a bodypaint deer costume. While we have not been able to identify the performer, this "humanimal" was created by makeup artist Laura Baker and photographer Erik Erxon.

For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.