China hotel's use of red pandas for visitors causes concerns
Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Hotel is located in Chongqing, in southwestern China. Several guests at the hotel shared videos of morning calls delivered by an adorable red panda. In the videos, the animal climbs onto beds and desks in hotel rooms. Guests were invited to pet and feed it.
The hotel opened in 2010. It is part of a tourist resort that includes a wildlife park and more than 100 rooms. One of its services is allowing visitors to get close to animals.
The rooms that featured red panda visits cost between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (HK$2,186 to HK$3,280) per night.
The hotel has temporarily suspended this service while an investigation takes place.
The hotel has stated that their red pandas are fully vaccinated. There are currently around 6,000 to 7,000 red pandas in China. They are a protected species.
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