Great April Fools’ Pranks

April Fools’ is fast approaching and if the last few years are anything to go by we can expect further excellent examples of make-believe events created to take advantage of our gullible nature. There are numerous instances of pranks that have ‘pulled the wool over our eyes’, but spare a thought for those who release news coverage on April 1 that isn’t intended to trick.

Here are the top five news stories released on April Fools’ Day that are actually true (unless of course they’re the perfect example of the double bluff)*:

1. 10 Points to Gryffindor

A course at Durham offered undergraduates the opportunity to study Harry Potter. Thought to be a prank, the story turned out to be true with lecturers using the subject to teach about prejudice and intolerance – not so funny after all.

2. NASA’s bag

The papers reported that NASA was looking into using a giant bag to capture an asteroid and tow it to the moon. Sounds too silly to be true? The US space agency has actually included $100m in its 2014 budget request to start planning the project. The aim is to use the asteroid to support the aspiration of permanent settlement in space.

3. Freezing Fleas

A flea circus in Germany was hit by tragedy when 300 of its star performers were killed as the mercury levels fell. Fortunately, the owner managed to find replacements in time for the show, saying ‘this is no April Fool’s. We saved the situation, otherwise there would have been no performance.’

4. Copycat Elephants

The National Geographic reported in 2005 that elephants have the ability to mimic traffic noises, putting them in the select group of animals capable of vocal imitation – parrots, songbirds, dolphins and us. Many thought this was another attempt at pulling a prank but zoologists have confirmed it to be true.

5. Digital Big Ben

The BBC, a known prankster on April Fools, reported that Big Ben was to be upgraded to give a digital readout. The announcement received a huge response with many campaigning to block the move. As you can see, the campaign was successful.

For a list of real April Fools’ pranks, take a look at Gala Bingo’s favourites.

*One of these may be an actual April Fool.