Chaotic Throwing Cigarettes Until Lolipop, 12 Tourists Are Prohibited From Visiting Chinese Panda Prisoners For Life

UNSPLASH/Michael Payne ILLUSTRATION

Dozens of tourists have been banned for life from visiting the giant panda breeding research center in Chengdu, China for reportedly showing bad behavior around the animal.

A total of 12 people aged between 26 years-61 years are subject to a life ban to visit the center, according to a post on the official Research Base WeChat account reported by CNN, Thursday, June 20.

"Presidents who behaved badly were caught throwing bamboo shoots, stalks of lolipop, cigarettes, eggs or bread and firing them into panda play areas outdoors on different occasions," WeChat wrote.

"The pandas are all fine and healthy," he added. The identities of the guests who have been blacklisted or their citizenship have not been disclosed.

This violation by tourists occurred between April and June 2024. The giant panda breeding center is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chengdu.

'Please pay attention to your own safety and animals,' reads one note. 'Stay calm and stay away from animals; don't litter, throw food into places of animal activity, and other behavior that threatens animal safety.'

The warning further states that violations of this rule can result in punishing violators with different levels of punishment, such as criticizing and educating, prohibiting them from entering the park within one year, prohibiting them from entering the park within five years or prohibiting them from entering the park for life, and beyond.

The Giant Panda Financing Research Center in Chengdu opened in 1987 in Sichuan province in southwest China. The goal of this captivity center is to become a world-class research facility, a conservation education center and international education tourism destination.