China's panda park bans 12 tourists for life following uncivilized behavior

By Hoang Vu June 19, 2024 | 10:55 pm PT

A panda at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan province. Photo courtesy of the park

Twelve tourists have been banned for life from visiting Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a popular attraction in China, over their "uncivilized behavior."

The lifetime bans were issued after the tourists aged 26 and 61 were caught throwing bamboo shoots, lollipop sticks, and cigarettes into the outdoor play area of the pandas on different occasions between April and June, the center announced its on its official WeChat account.

The pandas were inspected and underwent health checks, and they are in normal condition, it wrote.

Known as one of China's most popular attractions, the panda park in Sichuan province was established in 1987 and receives more than 9 million visitors every year.

Its website reminds tourists that littering, spitting, and throwing food into the animals' activity areas are strictly prohibited, as this behavior endangers their safety, and those found violating regulations could face entry bans of one to five years, or even for life.