IN-DEPTH / IN-DEPTH
GT Investigates: Online hysteria over giant pandas fuels misinformation, exposing emotional manipulation, profit-driven agendas behind conservation claims
Crack down on panda rumors
By and Liang Rui Published: Jul 30, 2025 09:12 PM
Some people say that giant pandas are living their best lives.
These bears are beloved around the world for their playful, gluttonous, lazy, and peaceful demeanor.
However, some individuals are attempting to disrupt this tranquility under the guise of "loving pandas."
On July 25, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) issued a statement stating that certain individuals continue to incite and manipulate public opinion both domestically and internationally, smearing the giant panda, widely seen as a symbol of China's friendship, and subjecting frontline conservation staff to relentless cyberbullying.
"What the cause of the giant panda conservation truly needs is concrete action and dedication, not emotional outbursts or fanatical behavior. We welcome public oversight from all sectors of society, but firmly oppose all forms of extreme and illegal conduct in the name of 'love,' as well as the toxic influence of fandom culture," the statement said.
At the same time, investigations conducted by the Xinhua News Agency and other media outlets have exposed how some individuals, posing as panda "fans," have fabricated rumors to make money, revealing a profit chain behind the widely circulated claims of panda abuse.
These social media influencers post inflammatory or false content related to giant pandas to manipulate their followers emotionally, driving online traffic and monetizing attention. Local judicial authorities have already issued punishment in related cases, uncovering the commercial interests fueling this emotional exploitation.
Experts warn that the rise of fan-club-style hype and online abuse seriously disrupts scientific work and erodes the foundations of biodiversity conservation. The proliferation of such rumors, combined with insufficient oversight by online platforms, illustrates how "fandom culture" is encroaching on science-based conservation efforts.
As China's most iconic wild animal, the number of wild giant pandas has increased from around 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 today, Xinhua reported in late 2024. The steady increase in wild populations is mainly due to China's comprehensive conservation efforts in recent years. These efforts include continuously refining policies and legal frameworks, and increasing financial investment.
Agitated 'fans'
Some radical animal rights activists have taken advantage of the public attention surrounding the return or overseas transfer of giant pandas to spread rumors and defamatory information. By coordinating online posts with offline activities, they have repeatedly staged disruptions at various CCRCGP facilities, aiming to obstruct China's normal international exchanges involving giant pandas.
Global Times reporters found that such content remains common on domestic social media platforms such as Douyin and RedNote (Xiaohongshu). Popular topics include Fu Bao, a panda born in South Korea, and Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, in October 2024.
Sensational posts like "Qing Bao is chewing on ice again!" "Please help save Bao Li and Qing Bao!" and "Don't let Fu Bao stay in Sichuan. Send her to another zoo!" often appear alongside edited footage, eerie music, and panda vocalizations made to sound pitiful. These posts attract significant engagement and emotional responses.
On overseas social media platforms such as Facebook and X, the spread of such disinformation is even more pronounced, with some content showing "signs of politicization."
"A lot of panda 'fans,' both in China and abroad, believe this kind of content without question," said Dou Zi, a frequent zoo visitor and panda enthusiast. "When I look at their accounts, I often find that these users are older or lack proper education, making it difficult for them to tell whether the information is true or false," she said.
A research report by the Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department, quoted by Xinhua, shows that the number of active giant panda "fans" on Chinese social media platforms has been increasing yearly, with ages ranging from 10 to 80. However, some panda enthusiasts lack critical thinking skills and are easily swayed by online rumors and emotional narratives.
Zhu Wei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this phenomenon is a typical example of the spillover of fandom culture, where everything can be turned into fandom.
The core of this culture lies in building a group of die-hard fans to shape a public persona and accumulate online traffic. Once traffic is secured, it can be monetized through content creation or product promotions. Moreover, with a strong enough fan base, the influencer can even manipulate or threaten the so-called "idol" or subject, Zhu explained.
If fan-club disorder is not addressed, it will become a black hole distorting values, Zhu warned. "It replaces truth, logic, law, and order with personal stances. There's no longer right or wrong, but only which side you stand on," Zhu said.
Profit chain
Several recent court cases in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the native habitat of the giant panda, have exposed profit-driven rumor campaigns involving false claims of panda abuse.
Behind these viral narratives lies a hidden chain of special interests.
On Monday, Xinhua reported that the People's Court of Dujiangyan City in Sichuan recently issued a first-instance verdict in a case involving the spread of false panda-related information. Defendants Bai and Xu, a couple in real life, both of whom are social media influencers known for their panda-related content, were sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment.
According to the police, Bai and Xu were not genuine panda enthusiasts. They merely saw that panda-related topics were attracting public attention online and decided to pose as "fans" to chase internet traffic.
While livestreaming in a scenic spot in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Bai was criticized for illegally feeding a panda, an incident that was later publicly denounced by the local tourism authority.
Bai and Xu operated over 10 chat groups across social media platforms such as WeChat, Kuaishou, and Douyin, amassing a fan base of between 3,000 and 5,000 people. They frequently posted sensational videos filled with exaggerated or fabricated panda-related rumors, livestreamed regularly, and presented themselves as defenders of the national treasure.
Authorities revealed that the couple profited mainly through two channels: Receiving online livestream donations and organizing offline fundraising among fans.
According to the court judgment, they fabricated and disseminated false information alleging that a research institution and its staff had abused giant pandas and were profiteering from them. They earned over 30,000 yuan (about $4,100) from livestreaming and collected more than 140,000 yuan in fan donations.
Police noted that these "panda fan influencers" relied heavily on "emotional manipulation" to convert traffic into income, a tactic that has become a hallmark of panda-related misinformation cases.
First, they fabricate rumors out of thin air. For instance, Bai and Xu invented a series of shocking claims, including: "The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has a hidden basement where liquid nitrogen is used for electro-ejaculation, bone marrow extraction, creating blood holes, and harvesting live hypothalamus tissue," and "Panda experts profit from sales and own mansions overseas."
Such rumors incited some so-called "panda fans" to repeatedly harass experts via phone calls, abusive text messages, and even in-person disturbances. In extreme cases, fans made nonstop emergency calls and sent mass emails to government mailboxes.
In a widely online-circulated audio recording of a complaint call, an agitated woman accused a staff member surnamed Zhang of monopolizing control over the panda institute, suggesting it might be run as a family enterprise.
What she didn't realize, however, is that Zhang Ka, who she accused, is actually the name of a female giant panda, and some other "staff members" she mentioned, including Zhang Xiang, Zhang Nian, and Zhang Zhongzhong are all Zhang Ka's cubs.
In recent investigations, police also discovered that some influencers intentionally edited videos of pandas stumbling or lying still, and paired them with inflammatory captions such as "Abused national treasure! Heartbreaking footage exposed." Members of these "fan groups" were reportedly assigned daily tasks such as editing images, boosting content rankings, or engaging in online disputes with other fan communities. This cycle further increased these influencers' visibility and financial returns.
In order to attract attention, some influencers deliberately created conflict and targeted institutions. In one case handled by the police in Wangcang county in Sichuan, a suspect surnamed Zhou fabricated claims that the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was operating as a "Panda 731 Lab" - a reference to the notorious wartime Japanese Unit 731. Zhou even traveled to the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by Japanese Army Unit 731 in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to distribute flyers and livestream content linking the two. Zhou was then escorted off the premise twice.
Police have reminded the public that panda husbandry and research are highly specialized fields, and blindly believing or spreading misinformation can make one complicit in online abuse and rumor-mongering.
Between affection and rationality
Online rumors and abuse are harming the very people dedicated to their protection.
Wei Ming, an expert at the CCRCGP, echoed the sentiment. "I have devoted my entire life to panda conservation," he said. "I never imagined I would face such intense online abuse and baseless rumors."
Zhu noted that these behaviors represent a dangerous hijacking of public opinion. "Professionals are drowned out by non-professionals, and legality is overshadowed by illegality. Moral coercion becomes commonplace, and in the long term, public trust, online credibility, and discourse authenticity all suffer," Zhu said.
To combat the growing disinformation, the panda center has launched a dedicated section to clarify and debunk viral rumors. In one example earlier this year, a widely shared post claimed that "Bao Li has a hole in her back and is covered in scars."
The center refuted the claim, stating: "After verification, the uneven fur texture on Bao Li's lower back was caused by pressure from sitting while eating. There is no hole as rumored. Currently, both Bao Li and Qing Bao are eating well and in good health."
The export or return of giant pandas is carried out only after comprehensive evaluations, including assessments of habitat suitability, disease control, and research conditions, Li Desheng, deputy director and chief expert at the CCRCGP, told the Global Times in a previous interview. "Pandas undergo strict health monitoring and quarantine measures to ensure their safety and well-being," he said.
"Through international cooperation in panda conservation, both China and its partner countries have made advances in scientific research and management techniques. Furthermore, protecting giant pandas also helps preserve other species in their habitats. As a flagship species, the successful conservation experiences of giant pandas can be applied to other endangered species," Li said.
At a press conference on Monday, Zhang Yujun, director of the Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said that China has been accelerating efforts to promote modernization in harmony with nature. Nearly 500 species of wild plants and animals have seen their threat levels downgraded, and populations of more than 300 rare and endangered species are steadily increasing.
"These achievements fully demonstrate the notable progress China has made in biodiversity conservation, marking a shift from merely halting losses to promoting systematic restoration," Zhang said. He noted that China continues to make meaningful contributions to global ecological governance.
In a recent statement, the panda center stressed that giant pandas "do not need to rank on trending ranks, and conservation work should not be reduced to viral entertainment."
"Turning the protection of a national treasure into an internet spectacle does nothing to help their survival - and may even jeopardize decades of conservation progress," the statement said. "The best way to support giant pandas is to respect professionalism, trust in science, and stay rational. The most sincere form of love is to offer understanding to researchers, trust to conservation institutions, and peace to the national treasure itself."
These bears are beloved around the world for their playful, gluttonous, lazy, and peaceful demeanor.
However, some individuals are attempting to disrupt this tranquility under the guise of "loving pandas."
On July 25, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) issued a statement stating that certain individuals continue to incite and manipulate public opinion both domestically and internationally, smearing the giant panda, widely seen as a symbol of China's friendship, and subjecting frontline conservation staff to relentless cyberbullying.
"What the cause of the giant panda conservation truly needs is concrete action and dedication, not emotional outbursts or fanatical behavior. We welcome public oversight from all sectors of society, but firmly oppose all forms of extreme and illegal conduct in the name of 'love,' as well as the toxic influence of fandom culture," the statement said.
At the same time, investigations conducted by the Xinhua News Agency and other media outlets have exposed how some individuals, posing as panda "fans," have fabricated rumors to make money, revealing a profit chain behind the widely circulated claims of panda abuse.
These social media influencers post inflammatory or false content related to giant pandas to manipulate their followers emotionally, driving online traffic and monetizing attention. Local judicial authorities have already issued punishment in related cases, uncovering the commercial interests fueling this emotional exploitation.
Experts warn that the rise of fan-club-style hype and online abuse seriously disrupts scientific work and erodes the foundations of biodiversity conservation. The proliferation of such rumors, combined with insufficient oversight by online platforms, illustrates how "fandom culture" is encroaching on science-based conservation efforts.
As China's most iconic wild animal, the number of wild giant pandas has increased from around 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 today, Xinhua reported in late 2024. The steady increase in wild populations is mainly due to China's comprehensive conservation efforts in recent years. These efforts include continuously refining policies and legal frameworks, and increasing financial investment.
Giant panda Fu Bao eats a fresh bamboo shoot during a birthday-themed enrichment event at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda's Shenshuping Base in Wolong, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on July 17, 2025. Photos on this page: VCG
Agitated 'fans'
Some radical animal rights activists have taken advantage of the public attention surrounding the return or overseas transfer of giant pandas to spread rumors and defamatory information. By coordinating online posts with offline activities, they have repeatedly staged disruptions at various CCRCGP facilities, aiming to obstruct China's normal international exchanges involving giant pandas.
Global Times reporters found that such content remains common on domestic social media platforms such as Douyin and RedNote (Xiaohongshu). Popular topics include Fu Bao, a panda born in South Korea, and Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, in October 2024.
Sensational posts like "Qing Bao is chewing on ice again!" "Please help save Bao Li and Qing Bao!" and "Don't let Fu Bao stay in Sichuan. Send her to another zoo!" often appear alongside edited footage, eerie music, and panda vocalizations made to sound pitiful. These posts attract significant engagement and emotional responses.
On overseas social media platforms such as Facebook and X, the spread of such disinformation is even more pronounced, with some content showing "signs of politicization."
"A lot of panda 'fans,' both in China and abroad, believe this kind of content without question," said Dou Zi, a frequent zoo visitor and panda enthusiast. "When I look at their accounts, I often find that these users are older or lack proper education, making it difficult for them to tell whether the information is true or false," she said.
A research report by the Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department, quoted by Xinhua, shows that the number of active giant panda "fans" on Chinese social media platforms has been increasing yearly, with ages ranging from 10 to 80. However, some panda enthusiasts lack critical thinking skills and are easily swayed by online rumors and emotional narratives.
Zhu Wei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this phenomenon is a typical example of the spillover of fandom culture, where everything can be turned into fandom.
The core of this culture lies in building a group of die-hard fans to shape a public persona and accumulate online traffic. Once traffic is secured, it can be monetized through content creation or product promotions. Moreover, with a strong enough fan base, the influencer can even manipulate or threaten the so-called "idol" or subject, Zhu explained.
If fan-club disorder is not addressed, it will become a black hole distorting values, Zhu warned. "It replaces truth, logic, law, and order with personal stances. There's no longer right or wrong, but only which side you stand on," Zhu said.
Profit chain
Several recent court cases in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the native habitat of the giant panda, have exposed profit-driven rumor campaigns involving false claims of panda abuse.
Behind these viral narratives lies a hidden chain of special interests.
On Monday, Xinhua reported that the People's Court of Dujiangyan City in Sichuan recently issued a first-instance verdict in a case involving the spread of false panda-related information. Defendants Bai and Xu, a couple in real life, both of whom are social media influencers known for their panda-related content, were sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment.
According to the police, Bai and Xu were not genuine panda enthusiasts. They merely saw that panda-related topics were attracting public attention online and decided to pose as "fans" to chase internet traffic.
While livestreaming in a scenic spot in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Bai was criticized for illegally feeding a panda, an incident that was later publicly denounced by the local tourism authority.
Bai and Xu operated over 10 chat groups across social media platforms such as WeChat, Kuaishou, and Douyin, amassing a fan base of between 3,000 and 5,000 people. They frequently posted sensational videos filled with exaggerated or fabricated panda-related rumors, livestreamed regularly, and presented themselves as defenders of the national treasure.
Authorities revealed that the couple profited mainly through two channels: Receiving online livestream donations and organizing offline fundraising among fans.
According to the court judgment, they fabricated and disseminated false information alleging that a research institution and its staff had abused giant pandas and were profiteering from them. They earned over 30,000 yuan (about $4,100) from livestreaming and collected more than 140,000 yuan in fan donations.
Police noted that these "panda fan influencers" relied heavily on "emotional manipulation" to convert traffic into income, a tactic that has become a hallmark of panda-related misinformation cases.
First, they fabricate rumors out of thin air. For instance, Bai and Xu invented a series of shocking claims, including: "The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has a hidden basement where liquid nitrogen is used for electro-ejaculation, bone marrow extraction, creating blood holes, and harvesting live hypothalamus tissue," and "Panda experts profit from sales and own mansions overseas."
Such rumors incited some so-called "panda fans" to repeatedly harass experts via phone calls, abusive text messages, and even in-person disturbances. In extreme cases, fans made nonstop emergency calls and sent mass emails to government mailboxes.
In a widely online-circulated audio recording of a complaint call, an agitated woman accused a staff member surnamed Zhang of monopolizing control over the panda institute, suggesting it might be run as a family enterprise.
What she didn't realize, however, is that Zhang Ka, who she accused, is actually the name of a female giant panda, and some other "staff members" she mentioned, including Zhang Xiang, Zhang Nian, and Zhang Zhongzhong are all Zhang Ka's cubs.
Two young visitors pose for a photo in front of a panda standee dressed as a police officer at the panda pavilion of Nanchang Zoo in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province.
In recent investigations, police also discovered that some influencers intentionally edited videos of pandas stumbling or lying still, and paired them with inflammatory captions such as "Abused national treasure! Heartbreaking footage exposed." Members of these "fan groups" were reportedly assigned daily tasks such as editing images, boosting content rankings, or engaging in online disputes with other fan communities. This cycle further increased these influencers' visibility and financial returns.
In order to attract attention, some influencers deliberately created conflict and targeted institutions. In one case handled by the police in Wangcang county in Sichuan, a suspect surnamed Zhou fabricated claims that the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was operating as a "Panda 731 Lab" - a reference to the notorious wartime Japanese Unit 731. Zhou even traveled to the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by Japanese Army Unit 731 in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to distribute flyers and livestream content linking the two. Zhou was then escorted off the premise twice.
Police have reminded the public that panda husbandry and research are highly specialized fields, and blindly believing or spreading misinformation can make one complicit in online abuse and rumor-mongering.
Between affection and rationality
Online rumors and abuse are harming the very people dedicated to their protection.
Wei Ming, an expert at the CCRCGP, echoed the sentiment. "I have devoted my entire life to panda conservation," he said. "I never imagined I would face such intense online abuse and baseless rumors."
Zhu noted that these behaviors represent a dangerous hijacking of public opinion. "Professionals are drowned out by non-professionals, and legality is overshadowed by illegality. Moral coercion becomes commonplace, and in the long term, public trust, online credibility, and discourse authenticity all suffer," Zhu said.
To combat the growing disinformation, the panda center has launched a dedicated section to clarify and debunk viral rumors. In one example earlier this year, a widely shared post claimed that "Bao Li has a hole in her back and is covered in scars."
The center refuted the claim, stating: "After verification, the uneven fur texture on Bao Li's lower back was caused by pressure from sitting while eating. There is no hole as rumored. Currently, both Bao Li and Qing Bao are eating well and in good health."
A cargo jet operated by FedEx transporting two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, lands at Dulles airport in Virginia on October 15, 2024. Photo: VCG
The export or return of giant pandas is carried out only after comprehensive evaluations, including assessments of habitat suitability, disease control, and research conditions, Li Desheng, deputy director and chief expert at the CCRCGP, told the Global Times in a previous interview. "Pandas undergo strict health monitoring and quarantine measures to ensure their safety and well-being," he said.
"Through international cooperation in panda conservation, both China and its partner countries have made advances in scientific research and management techniques. Furthermore, protecting giant pandas also helps preserve other species in their habitats. As a flagship species, the successful conservation experiences of giant pandas can be applied to other endangered species," Li said.
At a press conference on Monday, Zhang Yujun, director of the Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said that China has been accelerating efforts to promote modernization in harmony with nature. Nearly 500 species of wild plants and animals have seen their threat levels downgraded, and populations of more than 300 rare and endangered species are steadily increasing.
"These achievements fully demonstrate the notable progress China has made in biodiversity conservation, marking a shift from merely halting losses to promoting systematic restoration," Zhang said. He noted that China continues to make meaningful contributions to global ecological governance.
In a recent statement, the panda center stressed that giant pandas "do not need to rank on trending ranks, and conservation work should not be reduced to viral entertainment."
"Turning the protection of a national treasure into an internet spectacle does nothing to help their survival - and may even jeopardize decades of conservation progress," the statement said. "The best way to support giant pandas is to respect professionalism, trust in science, and stay rational. The most sincere form of love is to offer understanding to researchers, trust to conservation institutions, and peace to the national treasure itself."
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