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KWENENG, Botswana — After an Internet outcry over an image on Google Maps that appeared to be a dead donkey, Google has released images that show that the donkey was merely the victim of a technical issue, not the Street View car.
The picture of the donkey was first noticed by Twitter user @TheRealSheldonD, who tweeted it on Monday: "I think google street view ran over a donkey in Botswana," he said. The tweet has been shared more than 1,300 times since then.
On Tuesday, Google released a statement about the donkey, denying wrongdoing on the part of its driver.
"Our Street View teams take the safety of people and donkeys very seriously," a spokesperson said.
The story continued to spread, though, and on Wednesday Google produced images of the donkey to prove it had not been killed by a Street View car.
"Because of the way our 360-degree imagery is put together, it looked to some that our car had been involved in an unseemly hit and run, leaving the humble beast stranded in the road."
The company went on to explain the donkey had been lying in the path of the car — "perhaps enjoying a dust bath" — but had moved to the side as the Street View car passed.
"I'm pleased to confirm the donkey is alive and well," a post on the Google Maps blog said.
