On the morning of March 19, a wild giant panda made a surprise visit to Yiwugu Village in Meigu County, Liangshan, Sichuan. The panda was seen trotting gracefully along the road, circling around a villager’s courtyard, and then running back up the mountain into the forest. A village official told Red Star News that the village is located near the Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve, home to many rare wildlife species, including pandas. “Years ago, a wild giant panda also visited our village,” he said.
At around 8 a.m., due to continuous cold weather and snowfall, the snow-covered mountains of Yiwugu Village welcomed the unexpected visitor. Many villagers had the chance to see the giant panda up close and took photos. When spotted, the panda attracted a crowd of onlookers. Videos show the panda crossing the road, noticing human presence, and then quickly scampering into a villager’s courtyard in an adorable manner.
By around 10 a.m., village party secretary A Cheng Xiuji told Red Star News that after briefly wandering around a courtyard, the panda immediately ran back up the mountain without stopping. Upon receiving reports from the villagers, they quickly informed the nature reserve staff. Soon, personnel from the Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve arrived and escorted the panda safely back into the mountains.
A Cheng Xiuji explained that wild animals frequently appear in the village due to its proximity to the national nature reserve. “Years ago, we had another wild giant panda visit the village, and everyone found it fascinating.”
Established with State Council approval on December 15, 1978, the Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve primarily protects giant pandas and their habitat. In July 1994, it was officially designated a national nature reserve by the former Forestry Ministry. In April 2005, the State Council approved the expansion of the reserve to 50,655 hectares. According to China’s Fourth National Giant Panda Survey, the reserve is home to 22 wild giant pandas, making it the only national nature reserve in Liangshan Prefecture and the southernmost habitat for giant pandas in China.
Currently, with the assistance of reserve staff and villagers, the panda has returned safely to the forest. “It is an honor for our village to live alongside giant pandas. Over the years, we and the nature reserve staff have worked to raise awareness among villagers about wildlife conservation. People now have a stronger sense of protecting wild flora and fauna, and everyone knows that the giant panda is a national treasure that must be cherished and protected,” said A Cheng Xiuji.
As a passionate panda lover, I’m here to share the unique stories and wonders of each panda. Through these posts, I hope to spread the love for these adorable giants and inspire others to join the effort to protect them. Let’s celebrate the magic of pandas together and help ensure their future!