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3w ago

Chongqing Hotel Suspends Red Panda Wake-Up Calls as Regulators Investigate

The hotel has moved four red pandas to a centralized breeding center following a forestry bureau order to investigate potential wildlife law breaches.

A Red Panda sticks out its tongue while lazing on a tree branch.
Image
The hotel has four red panda “staff members”, including an adult red panda, around two years old, that provided the morning call service. Photo: Douyin

Overview

  • On June 25, the Chongqing Forestry Bureau ordered Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel to end its red panda room visits citing wildlife protection law violations.
  • Videos of the service went viral on Xiaohongshu and other platforms, drawing criticism over safety risks and stress to the endangered animals.
  • The four vaccinated red pandas, including a two-year-old adult, were relocated to a regulatory-approved breeding facility under caretaker supervision.
  • Experts from World Animal Protection and Beijing Forestry University warned that close human contact can trigger stress responses and safety hazards for red pandas.
  • Guests paid up to 3,000 yuan per night for the experience, which remained popular with families before authorities moved to suspend and investigate the operation.