Latest news with #LeheLeduLiangjiangHotel
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
China hotel's red panda wake-up call service suspended over safety concerns
A five-star hotel in southwestern China has been ordered to suspend a viral red panda morning call service after safety and animal welfare concerns drew public and official scrutiny, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Hotel in Chongqing had allowed red pandas to enter guest rooms as part of a premium wildlife-themed experience. The animals were seen climbing onto beds and desks, with guests allowed to feed and pet them briefly under staff supervision. Rooms offering this interaction were priced between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (approximately US$280 to US$420) per night and proved especially popular among families with children. The hotel employed four red pandas, including one adult—around two years old—for the wake-up service. The pandas were reportedly fully vaccinated, and caretakers accompanied them during guest interactions. A post shared by anywherechina (@anywhere_china) The service gained widespread attention after guests shared videos of the red panda roaming freely inside hotel rooms. Following a wave of online criticism, authorities intervened. On June 17, a representative from the Chongqing Forestry Department confirmed that the service had been ordered to halt and that an investigation was underway, according to SCMP. Under Chinese wildlife protection law, red pandas—classified as a Class II protected species—cannot be sold, purchased or used without specific licensing, though certain public institutions may showcase protected animals for educational purposes. Yang Zhaoxia, associate professor at Beijing Forestry University, told Beijing News Radio that red pandas, while generally mild in nature, are sensitive and easily startled by human contact. 'It is crucial to maintain a safe distance between the animals and human spectators,' Yang said. The incident also brought attention to safety concerns. In February, a guest at a wildlife-themed hotel in Jiangsu province reported her husband was bitten on the lap by a red panda while playing with it. A hotel staff member reportedly said they usually advise guests not to engage too closely with the animals. (With inputs from SCMP)
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China hotel uses red panda for morning calls, triggers safety concerns, service suspension
A five-star hotel in China has sparked controversy by using a red panda for morning calls, prompting an investigation and suspension of the service by authorities. Advertisement The establishment, Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Hotel, located in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality, raised public concerns after several guests shared videos of their morning calls delivered by an adorable red panda. In the footage, the animal climbs onto beds and desks in hotel rooms, where guests are invited to pet and feed it. In the footage, the animal playfully climbs onto beds and desks in hotel rooms, where guests are encouraged to pet and feed it. Photo: Douyin Opened in 2010, the hotel is part of a tourist resort that includes a wildlife park and features over 100 rooms. Its service offerings include 'getting close to animals'. The rooms that feature the red panda morning calls are priced between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (US$280 to US$420) per night, and they remain especially popular among families with children. The hotel employs four red panda 'staff members', including an adult red panda, about two years old, that provides the morning call service. 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 Guests typically have a few minutes to interact with the red panda, depending on its mood, with a caretaker present for safety reasons.
