Chinese hotel under fire for using red pandas as wakeup service
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A hotel in China is facing backlash for using endangered red pandas to wake up guests.
Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, a resort in Chongqing, is facing criticism from safety and animal rights groups over the animals climbing onto guests’ beds in the unique wakeup service.
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A staff member lead the animal up to the guest rooms, and visitors can interact with them for a few minutes before the panda is led away.
British content creators Reanne and Ben shared their panda experience on their YouTube channel On Tour With Dridgers from their visit to the resort in April.
The video first shows the red panda in a tree in a small courtyard before it wanders down the hallway to the couple’s room, following a staff member.
It then joins Reanne on the bed, where she pets the panda while it eats appear from her hand.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’ve got a panda on my bed,” she says.
Despite the popularity of the service, the Chongqing Forestry Bureau has reportedly asked the hotel to immediately cease all close contact activities between the pandas and visitors.
The resort has four red pandas which take turns in the room visits, the U.K. Times reported.
Rooms that feature the special service were priced at around 2,000 yuan (about $383) per night and were in high demand, according to the outlet.
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Despite the popularity, critics of the experience say the pandas could be subjected to injury or get a disease from their interaction with humans.
The hotel, however, defended the interactive sessions, according to the outlet, adding that the red pandas, which are borrowed from a zoo, have been vaccinated and are cared for by dedicated staffers.
Lehe Ledu Liangjiang also said that young children should always be accompanied by an adult during the room visits.
Sun Quanhui, a scientist from the World Animal Protection organization, told the Global Times that red pandas are a protected wild species in China and should not be kept as pets or for tourism-related entertainment.
He added that the pandas are naturally sensitive animals, and being forced to interact with guests could trigger a stress response.
The Chongqing Forestry Bureau has reportedly asked the hotel to immediately cease all close contact activities between the pandas and visitors while they conduct an on-site investigation.
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