Baili River Protection Zone Forest Rangers Again ‘Encounter’ Wild Giant Panda

On March 31st, the Baili River Protection Zone's forest rangers encountered a wild giant panda while conducting patrol work. They captured an image of the panda using their mobile phones.

Around 3:00 PM on the same day, the rangers were conducting patrol work in the Qinggui Stream area managed by Letuwu River Protection Station, at an altitude of 1400 meters, about 10 meters from the rangers. Suddenly, a giant panda walked towards them head-on. The rangers exclaimed in surprise and quickly took a photo and a video.

According to the rangers, the location where the giant panda was found is in the protection zone's buffer zone. The incident occurred by the stream in a deep gorge. This giant panda was likely drinking water and taking a stroll through the gorge when it 'encountered' the rangers. This is the second time rangers in Letuwu have 'encountered' a wild giant panda, following the discovery in Bijiu Liziba in February last year. According to observations at the scene, the giant panda was agile and quick in its movements, and its physical condition was good.

In recent years, the Baili River Protection Zone has continued to implement the strictest ecological protection measures, providing a paradise for the protection zone's giant pandas, golden monkeys, and moose to thrive. While fully utilizing the role of part-time forest rangers, the protection zone has strengthened community governance and publicity efforts, reducing human interference in the forest area. Currently, a good situation has formed where 'every village has a forest patrol team, and everyone is a forest ranger' (Li Ruichun).

(Source: Gansu Baili River National Nature Reserve)