Tracking the Case of Defamation and Rumors Involving Giant Pandas

The adorable and lovable giant panda is widely cherished by the public. With the rise of live-streaming and short video platforms, many netizens have gathered online to admire this national treasure. Offline, some giant pandas have gained immense popularity, attracting large numbers of tourists eager to see these “internet-famous” pandas.

However, recently, a small number of extreme “panda fans” have used platforms such as short videos and live broadcasts to create viral content and stir controversy. These individuals have fabricated numerous online rumors, including claims that “giant pandas should not be released into the wild,” “electroejaculation is highly harmful,” and “giant panda breeding centers conduct ‘live animal experiments’.” They have incited “panda fans” to gather offline to disturb the peace, engage in online “doxxing” and harassment of staff, and have even committed acts of provocation, insult, and defamation, violating laws and even potentially committing crimes.

Defamation of Experts and Professionals in Giant Panda Protection

“For a long time, whenever I answered the phone, I was greeted with foul language and received various insulting messages that caused sleepless nights and anxiety. I now avoid answering calls from unknown numbers,” said Hou Rong, Deputy Director of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, while fighting back tears. Known affectionately as “Panda Mom,” she never imagined she would experience such online violence.

These acts of online provocation, defamation, and harassment have seriously damaged the legal rights and reputations of experts and professionals in the field of giant panda protection, severely disrupting social order. Local authorities launched an investigation, and individuals such as Tang from Panzhihua, Sichuan, came under police scrutiny.

According to investigations, since 2023, Tang and others, believing fabricated online stories such as “Hou Rong invented the electroejaculation technique to abuse giant pandas” and “Zhang Zhihe conducted experiments on giant pandas that led to their deaths,” began harboring resentment toward Hou Rong, Zhang Zhihe, and other panda protection experts. They then gathered extreme “panda fans” to target panda protection institutions and staff. They engaged in illegal activities such as mailing complaint letters, posting defamatory videos, and repeatedly calling emergency hotlines to incite online violence.

“Hou Rong’s phone number was posted in a group, and Tang encouraged others to call and harass her,” said Yi Chuantao, head of the Cybersecurity Division of the Panzhihua Public Security Bureau. Tang and other suspects were particularly extreme, posting Hou Rong’s resume with insulting text on short video platforms, and this continued for a long time.

“I really regret it now. I never realized it would cause such a negative impact. I shouldn’t have spread those rumors!” In July this year, Tang admitted her unlawful actions and expressed regret for her criminal behavior.

Tracking The Case Of Defamation And Rumors Involving Giant Pandas

Obstruction of Normal International Exchange Activities

Sichuan police discovered that the online attacks on panda experts and others occurred primarily at two key moments: first, when the giant panda “Ya Ya” returned to China in April 2023, and second, when three other pandas returned from the U.S. in November 2023. Some extreme animal rights activists exploited the media attention surrounding these panda returns to create more rumors, both online and offline. They even gathered at multiple bases of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center to disrupt international exchange activities involving pandas.

“‘Bao Li’ and ‘Qing Bao’ are being sent abroad; it’s simply animal cruelty! We need to go to the scene and confront those so-called experts!” In early May this year, Wang stirred up “panda fans” in a group.

On June 13th, around 10 a.m., more than 10 individuals gathered outside the visitor center of the Dujiangyan base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center. Some held banners and shouted slogans to attract tourists, while others filmed videos and attempted to create scenes of conflict with the staff and police in order to amplify the negative online narrative.

It was later revealed that a Guangdong resident, Pei, learned through public information that “Bao Li” and “Qing Bao” would be sent abroad for international cooperation. Pei repeatedly contacted Xu from Zhejiang, inciting him to create negative public opinion. Xu then collaborated with Wang to plan a series of disruptions at multiple panda research centers.

When patrol officers discovered the situation, they reported it, and the Dujiangyan Public Security Bureau promptly deployed officers to maintain order.

“Don’t push, be careful not to fall!” Despite the police’s warnings, the troublemakers escalated their verbal abuse.

After the incident, Wang was criminally detained by the police, while Xu and others faced administrative detention and other penalties.

This incident exposed an extreme “panda fan” group on social media. One “panda fan,” Ms. Xia, explained the requirements for joining such a group: First, one must accept rumors that giant pandas are being mistreated and be willing to fund offline events where experts are harassed. Additionally, to gain access to more core circles, members are encouraged to report panda experts and “create data.” Some unsuspecting fans, lured by such rhetoric, end up generating fake data, inflating traffic, and even posting inappropriate comments online.

On the evening of June 13th, the official Weibo account of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center posted: “Recently, more than ten individuals at our Dujiangyan and Shenshuping bases have been spreading false information about giant pandas being abused. They distributed fan-shaped materials and deliberately staged falls to mislead the public. These individuals contacted the media and foreign social media influencers to spread these falsehoods, tarnishing the reputation of our panda breeding, management, and research cooperation. Their actions have seriously disrupted visitor order, interfered with our normal work, and damaged our institution’s image.”

Severe Impact on Research and Innovation

Police involved in the investigation revealed that these extreme “panda fans” hijacked public opinion, which not only impacted normal international scientific collaboration but also wasted public resources. Emergency hotlines in Chengdu and Panzhihua received nonstop calls, and thousands of similar false complaints were sent to official government emails.

In November 2023, two elderly giant pandas, “Mei Xiang“, “Tian Tian,” and “Xiao Qi Ji” who had returned from the U.S., were settled in the Chengdu Panda Base’s recovery area due to their age. In an attempt to minimize disruption, they were not put on public display, leading to rumors claiming that “Mei Xiang” and “Tian Tian” had died.

Some extreme “panda fans” used short video platforms to spread malicious rumors that giant pandas were being used in live animal experiments or subjected to abuse, further defaming experts in panda protection.

One such rumor demonized the non-invasive scientific technique of “electroejaculation” as “electric shock sperm collection.”

“‘Electric shock sperm collection’ is a serious misinterpretation of ‘electroejaculation,’” said Hou Rong. “Both domestic and international panda research always strictly adheres to the ‘non-invasive research’ principle, ensuring that the pandas’ health is not compromised.”

These extreme “panda fans” have caused significant disruptions to scientific work, including research on panda reproductive techniques, which has had a profound impact on progress.

“This has severely damaged not only my personal reputation but also the reputation of the entire industry. This is unprecedented,” said Hou Rong. “Since last year, our institution has spent enormous time and effort to address and explain these baseless rumors. Research that could have been innovative is now being delayed, and important scientific progress has come to a standstill.”

Another expert from the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, Wei Ming, who also suffered from online abuse, expressed his heartbreak: “I have devoted my life to giant panda conservation, never expecting to face such serious rumors and online violence.”

Liu Yuliang, Deputy Director of the Research Department at the Chengdu Research Base, added, “Giant pandas are not only a national treasure but also a unique cultural symbol of China. Their conservation has always touched the hearts of millions of Chinese citizens. However, since last year, rumors about giant pandas have been rampant online, severely disrupting conservation efforts.”

At present, Sichuan police have successfully solved four online violence cases related to giant pandas, with 12 major suspects having been formally charged.