Animal welfare concerns halt hotel's panda wake-up service
A Chinese hotel's unique red panda wake-up service, where the animals visit guests' rooms and climb on beds, has been ordered to stop.
The Chongqing Forestry Bureau mandated the halt due to concerns over animal welfare, potential injury, and disease transmission.
The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel in Chongqing attracted many guests specifically for this popular interaction with its four resident red pandas.
Animal rights experts, including Sun Quanhui from World Animal Protection, stated that red pandas are a nationally protected species and should not be used for entertainment, citing their sensitive nature.
The forestry bureau is currently conducting an on-site investigation at the hotel and will release its findings.
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