Red Panda "Wake-Up Call" Service Halted Amid Safety and Animal Welfare Concerns

The Chongqing Forestry Bureau has intervened following reports of a "wake-up call service" involving red pandas at a local hotel. The bureau has ordered the immediate cessation of all close-contact activities between visitors and the animals. This action comes in response to online images depicting young children interacting with red pandas on beds at the Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel.

The bureau has also initiated an on-site investigation to verify the reported activities. Updates and findings from the investigation will be released in due course. The hotel, known for its red panda-themed rooms, offered the "wake-up call" service, with rooms priced between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan per night.

Hotel staff confirmed that four red pandas were involved, taking turns visiting guest rooms. During these visits, a staff member would lead a red panda into the room, allowing it to roam freely and interact with guests, sometimes climbing onto the bed. The visits typically lasted a few minutes.

In response to safety concerns, hotel staff stated that the red pandas were borrowed from a zoo, vaccinated, and cared for by dedicated staff. They also recommended parental supervision during interactions. However, experts have raised concerns about the practice.

Red pandas are a protected species in China and are listed as endangered. Experts argue that using them for entertainment violates their natural behavior and could constitute animal abuse. The animals are sensitive and may experience stress in unfamiliar environments, potentially leading to aggressive reactions. Furthermore, close contact with wild animals carries the risk of disease transmission.