We are not beyond accepting, in wide-eyed wonderment, the natural marvels the discovery channel presents to us as fact. But do not be so easily fooled by the seductive trickery of the documentary makers, it seems it may not always be real.

The Guardian have uncovered a shocking lie that has been passed off as fact for too long by Discovery Channel. You have all seen the monster shark they “found” in a picture, apprently set off the coast of Cape Town? In case you haven’t, here it is:

Now, apart from the numerous problems with this image and the obvious doctoring, the biggest shocking lie is that this is not even a still image, it is a screen shot from a video clip which irrefutably shows that what Discovery Channel suggests is thoroughly fabricated.

A sharp-eyed reader found the frame in some footage of U-boats on Tarrif.net. The footage was shot in the Atlantic. Take a look 12 seconds in.

It’s the same shot. But guess what? No shark. And no swastika. And not off Cape Town. Or anywhere near.

Frankly, we are appalled.

If we cannot trust EVERYTHING we see on TV, where will we get our information about giant sharks from??

But really, slaps-on-the-wrist to you Discovery Channel: this is very naughty of you.

Next time, at least find real experts who you can convince of your manipulations… disappearing experts really do not lend credibility to your pitch.

Read more detail on why The Guardian thinks this image has been doctored and tell us whether or not you agree.

Thanks Simon