Today, one year has passed since 63 red pandas were successfully rescued in May 2022.
In November 2022, the Leshan police in Sichuan reported the "4·29" case of extremely serious harm to precious and endangered wild animals. A criminal gang that had long been engaged in hunting, purchasing, transporting, and selling wild red pandas was busted by the police. 63 live red pandas were seized.
Afterwards, the rescued red pandas were fostered in the Bifengxia Wildlife Park in Ya'an City. Due to stress reactions and other reasons, red pandas died one after another. According to a letter sent by the Sichuan Forestry and Grassland Department in response to wildlife protection volunteers, 23 of the red pandas fostered in this case died and 40 survived and were in good health.
How are the 40 red pandas doing now? In the past few days, Red Star News reporters have learned from various interviews that the surviving red pandas have been handed over from the Bifengxia Wildlife Park to the relevant departments of Leshan and released into the wild in February this year. As for why the 23 red pandas died? Zoo officials said the animals had been handed over and they did not want to talk more about the matter.

In recent years, The Sichuan Public Security Bureau has uncovered many cases involving poaching of wild animals. In some cases involving live wild animals, the wild animals involved are often managed by qualified third parties. How to avoid similar tragedies from happening again? A policeman who has worked for many years told Red Star News that there is no unified standard for rescue, submission, storage and disposal, and the situation and conditions vary from place to place, so different departments may have differences in implementation, and some may The decision will be made after a joint meeting held by the public security, law, forestry and other departments.

Dr. Sun Quanhui, a scientist at World Animal Welfare Association, suggested that for seized live wild animals, law enforcement agencies should also pay attention to the professional treatment of these animals while collecting evidence and judicial investigations, so as to reduce and avoid the consequences of the investigation process. secondary damage they may cause. Law enforcement agencies and wildlife protection authorities must also strengthen collaboration, continuously optimize the law enforcement, containment and treatment processes for live wild animals, improve rescue and rehabilitation facilities and standards, and help them return to the wild.
Hidden story:
The police solved a major case and rescued 63 red pandas
After the zoo suddenly took over, more than 20 of them died one after another, causing controversy
Red pandas, also known as red pandas, are national second-level Key protected animals mainly live in places with bamboo clumps in coniferous and broad-leaf mixed forests or evergreen broad-leaved forests below 3,000 meters above sea level. Due to their cute appearance, red pandas are loved by nature lovers at home and abroad..
According to the Leshan City Public Security Bureau’s report on the “4.29” serious harm to precious and endangered wildlife cases in November 2022, criminal gangs purchased red pandas from poachers at a price of 2,500 yuan to 4,000 yuan each, and then Raise them in a breeding farm, wait until you find a suitable customer, and then sell them for about 350,000 yuan each.
According to police investigation, in addition to the 63 live and 4 dead red pandas seized on site in May 2022, relevant evidence shows that the number of red pandas traded between the two parties was approximately 80 or 90, and the total value involved was more than 10 million yuan. After the incident, criminal coercive measures were taken against 31 people involved, and the seized live red pandas were temporarily fostered in the Bifengxia Wildlife Park in Ya'an City.
Now, one year has passed since these red pandas were rescued in May 2022. What is their current situation?
In April this year, a reporter from Red Star News came to the Bifengxia Wildlife Park in Ya'an City. There were many photos of wild animals posted on the entrance aisle, including red pandas and golden monkeys.
Official information shows that the zoo park has a planned area of ​​10,000 acres, consisting of a beast car tour area, a tame animal walking tour area and an animal behavior display area. There are nearly 300 kinds of wild animals in the park, and about 10,000 animals ( Only, tail). Among them, there are more than 30 species of national first-level protected animals such as Siberian tigers, golden monkeys, and jaguars, as well as extremely rare animals such as white lions and white tigers.
Along the zoo’s tour route, the Red Star News reporter had just left the beast sightseeing area by car when he saw an exhibition with a “Red Panda” sign, but there were no red pandas inside. A staff member said, "There are no red pandas here anymore. They were taken away and there are only ones below."
After walking for about an hour, the Red Star News reporter found an exhibition site surrounded by higher guardrails and green nets. There are many notices hanging on the railings: "Photography and disturbing are prohibited in the quarantined animal exhibition area." Through the gaps in the railings, the reporter saw several red pandas resting in a wooden pavilion in the middle of the field.
Why aren’t people watching the red pandas here? In this regard, the staff at the zoo sightseeing bus station did not answer, but said that there were red pandas for viewing in a house in front.
Previously, the zoo told the media that because red pandas are wild individuals, they cannot live with the animals in the park and cannot be shown to tourists.
An insider with knowledge of the matter told Red Star News that because of the large number of 63 red pandas, the incident happened suddenly. Unlike other rescues where there was no time to prepare in advance, the Leshan Public Security Bureau rescued the red pandas and immediately rescued them. The zoo needs to step in. The relevant departments of Leshan contacted other zoos and later found the relevant departments of Ya'an for coordination. Considering the protection of animals, the Bifengxia Wildlife Park took over. Unexpectedly, after more than 20 red pandas entered the park and died one after another, the zoo was pushed to the forefront and suffered a lot. Less stress.
Why do red pandas die one after another?
Previously, according to China News Weekly, in order to accept these wild red pandas, BifengXiaxia Wildlife Park has specially built an isolation area and is fed by dedicated personnel. It has invested a lot of money and manpower to do its best to rescue. Red pandas are sensitive by nature. Due to a large number of stress reactions during the process of being stolen and transported, many of them were in poor condition, had a loss of appetite, and had an irritable temper after arriving at Bifengxia. Although the zoo tried its best to raise them, they still Deaths occurred one after another.
The above-mentioned insider also told Red Star News that the death of red pandas was due to a combination of reasons. For example, were these red pandas just captured from the wild, or have they been raised in artificial breeding farms for a period of time? If it is just caught in the wild, the stress response may be particularly great; even if it has been raised for a period of time, there are many reasons such as the elderly, the weak, the sick, the weather, transportation, etc. "There is a transition period, and fewer red pandas will die in the later period. As for whether there will still be deaths after the transfer to Leshan, it is unknown."

World Association for the Protection of Animals Scientist Dr. Sun Quanhui told Red Star News that red pandas live in warm and humid mountain forests and spend most of their time in trees. They are gentle and slow-moving, and like to live alone or in small groups. In the process of hunting, purchasing, transporting, and trading, in order to hide their eyes from others, poachers often hide the poached animals in very small containers or spaces; in order to prevent the animals from escaping, criminals also often restrain the animals. Will cause injury and death of animals. Before being seized, some animals may have been imprisoned for a long time without regular food and water. After being seized, some weak or sick animals will inevitably become sick and die if they do not receive timely treatment.

Why do red pandas die one after another?
Previously, according to China News Weekly, in order to accept these wild red pandas, the Bifengxia Wildlife Park specially built an isolation area, fed them by dedicated personnel, invested a lot of money and manpower, and tried their best to rescue them. Red pandas are sensitive by nature. Due to a large number of stress reactions during the process of being stolen and transported, many of them were in poor condition, had a loss of appetite, and had an irritable temper after arriving at Bifengxia. Although the zoo tried its best to raise them, they still Deaths occurred one after another.
The above-mentioned insider also told Red Star News that the death of red pandas was due to a combination of reasons. For example, were these red pandas just captured from the wild, or have they been raised in artificial breeding farms for a period of time? If it is just caught in the wild, the stress response may be particularly great; even if it has been raised for a period of time, there are many reasons such as the elderly, the weak, the sick, the weather, transportation, etc. "There is a transition period, and fewer red pandas will die in the later period. As for whether there will still be deaths after the transfer to Leshan, it is unknown." Dr. Sun Quanhui, a scientist at the World Association for the Protection of Animals, told Red Star News, Red pandas live in warm and humid mountain forests and spend most of their time in trees. They are gentle and slow-moving, and like to live alone or in small groups. In the process of hunting, purchasing, transporting, and trading, in order to cover up people's eyes, poachers often hide poached animals in very small containers or spaces; in order to prevent animals fromTo escape, criminals often restrain animals, which can cause injuries, injuries and death. Before being seized, some animals may have been imprisoned for a long time without regular food and water. After being seized, some weak or sick animals will inevitably become sick and die if they do not receive timely treatment.
Sun Quanhui said that forcing animals that are used to living alone or have ferocious personalities together may cause accidents, because these animals may fight with each other or even kill each other. Given that the physical condition of seized animals is often poor, and some individuals may even be sick and injured, it is best to place the animals individually if conditions permit to facilitate subsequent observation and treatment.

Progress:< br/>The zoo has been questioned and has written twice to explain the situation
The red panda involved in the case has been released into the wild this year
Red Star News reporter noticed that the Bifengxia Wildlife Park was previously criticized and questioned by netizens, " Watching wild red pandas die one after another, but not releasing them into the wild, or out of 'self-interest' considerations."
Regarding this doubt, the above-mentioned insider said that because the Leshan Public Security Bureau handed over (over) , so they cannot be released privately. They need to be handed over to Leshan police or approved by superiors before they can be released. "In the past, zoos would rescue wild animals every year, but the number was relatively small and the cycle was very short. Some wild animals were kept for a few days, their strength recovered, and they were released after being assessed as suitable for release. But these red pandas involved are special. They are not The zoo can release them as soon as they say.” The insider said that the zoo also hopes that they can return to the wild as soon as possible. After the red pandas were handed over, it was difficult to raise them, and they died one after another. For this reason, we sent two letters to Leshan to explain the situation, but they were not handed over until the beginning of this year. These red pandas stayed in the wildlife park for nearly ten years. month time.
How many of the 63 red pandas involved died? How many are left? According to a public disclosure by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation on April 14, 2023, the Sichuan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau responded to the "Letter on Replying to Questions Related to Wild Animals Involved" by wildlife protection volunteers, which showed that the "4.29" extremely serious harm is precious. , 23 of the 63 live red pandas fostered by the Leshan Mabian County Public Security Bureau in the Endangered Wildlife Case have died, and 40 are now alive and in good health.
The Red Star News reporter learned from an insider of the relevant departments of Leshan City that at the end of December 2022, the Leshan City Public Security, Procuratorate andThe forestry department jointly discussed and decided to release the red pandas together without affecting the prosecution and trial of the case. Subsequently, based on the release opinion issued by the Mabian Procuratorate, the local police went through the handover procedures with the forestry department. On February 13, 2023, the red panda involved in the case was released into the wild.
Behind the scenes:
The rescue and management of the wildlife involved in the case needs to be standardized
The State Forestry and Grassland Administration has solicited opinions, but the relevant measures have not yet been officially released
Although these surviving red pandas have been released into the wild , but Red Star News reporters learned that there are still some wild animals involved in the case that have not been released in the Bifengxia Wildlife Park. For rescued and sheltered wild animals, the shorter the time they have been in contact with humans and unnatural environments, the more favorable the conditions for their future release into the wild.
According to the "Several Regulations on the Management of Case-Involved Property by Public Security Organs", the property involved in the case should be "properly kept"; the 2017 "Several Regulations of the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security on the Handling of Economic Crime Cases by Public Security Organs" also clearly stipulates that "in addition to legal Unless otherwise provided by laws and regulatory documents, the public security organs shall not dispose of the property involved before the conclusion of the proceedings."
The trial length of some cases is also different, and some cases can be as short as several months or as long as several years. From this perspective, it does cause certain difficulties in the rescue and release of wild animals.
A policeman who has worked in the Sichuan police system for many years told Red Star News, “In recent years, the Sichuan police have cracked many cases involving poaching of wild animals, most of which were dead. In some cases involving live wild animals, the wild animals involved were Animals are often managed by qualified third parties. During this period, in line with the principle of protecting wild animals, relevant identifications are first made, and then the evidence is fixed and the wild animals are handed over to the relevant forestry and grassland departments. They will decide what to do based on the situation in accordance with relevant laws. When and how to release, etc. It would be very annoying if you have to wait for a court decision before releasing."
But he also said that there is no unified standard for rescue, submission, storage and disposal. , the situation and conditions vary from place to place, so different departments may have different implementations, or even have to fumble forward. Some may be decided after a joint meeting held by the public security, law, forestry and other departments.
Article 17 of the "Interpretations of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Laws in Handling Criminal Cases of Destruction of Wild Animal Resources" that will be implemented from April 9, 2022 clearly states that the species of the animal involved in the case Category, whether it is artificial breeding, illegal fishing and hunting tools and methods, and the degree of damage to wild animal resources and other specialized issues, the wildlife protection authorities and investigation agencies can issue identification opinions based on on-site inspections, inspection records, etc. wait.
In response to the rescue of wild animals involved in the case, in November 2021, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration issued the "Measures for the Transfer and Management of Confiscated Wild Animals and Plants and Their Products (Draft for Comments)" and the "Custody and Disposal of Confiscated Wild Animals and Plants and Their Products" Management Measures (Draft for Solicitation of Comments)" is open for public comment.
《Confiscating wild animals and plantsArticle 11 of the Measures for the Management of the Storage and Disposal of Animals and Their Products (Draft for Comments)” clearly mentions that “for live and healthy wild animals originating in the local area that have been confiscated by this department and transferred by other law enforcement agencies, the forestry and forestry departments of the people’s governments at or above the county level shall After the grassland authorities have taken photos, videos and other evidence collection work, they can release them into the wild in a timely manner and no longer need to go through the storage, storage, disposal and other procedures stipulated in these measures."
But so far, the relevant management measures have not been formalized. Introduced, some rescued wild animals still face embarrassment on their way "home".