Overview

• The Chongqing Forestry Bureau has ordered the Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel to immediately halt its red panda wake-up call service over animal welfare and guest safety issues.
• An inspection team has been deployed to conduct an on-site investigation with results due for public release.
• Hotel staff said four vaccinated red pandas borrowed from a zoo took turns roaming guest rooms and sitting on beds during morning visits.
• Sun Quanhui of World Animal Protection cautioned that such close contact could provoke stress responses in the endangered species.
• Despite drawing tourists eager for unique encounters, the practice faced criticism over risks of injury, disease transmission and ethical treatment of protected wildlife.