A viral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animals, a trend known as therianthropy. In Buenos Aires, a group of young people transformed a plaza into an artificial forest, with some donning cat and bear masks, sitting at the base of tree trunks, and maintaining distance from curious spectators. These gatherings are part of the latest manifestations of therianthropy, where individuals claim to identify mentally, spiritually, or psychologically with non-human animals.

On a Sunday, February 22, 2026, a young person leaped over other therianthropes in a market in Buenos Aires. Therianthropes are individuals who assert they identify with non-human animals. This event was captured in a video by AP.

During the therianthropy gathering, a young person donned a dog mask, participating in the activities of those who claim to identify with non-human animals. This scene was documented by AP photographer Rodrigo Abd on the same day.

Participants in the therianthropy event stood atop tree trunks, embodying their animal identities. This was another moment captured by AP photographer Rodrigo Abd on the same day.

A group of young people moved through a park during the therianthropy gathering, further illustrating the trend of identifying with non-human animals. This scene was also documented by AP photographer Rodrigo Abd on the same day.

A mask of an animal lay on the ground during the therianthropy gathering, symbolizing the transformation and identification with non-human animals. This image was captured by AP photographer Rodrigo Abd on the same day.

Source consulted: Viral phenomenon in Argentina: young people identifying as animals