Beijing Zoo promises to improve security after visitors throw stones at giant panda
- Animal lovers angered after viral video shows moment a visitor decided to ‘wake up’ Meng Da
- Keepers say they will reassess physical safety measures and improve inspections
Beijing Zoo has promised to improve security around its giant panda enclosure after stones were hurled at Meng Da, one of its residents.
A video of the incident on Saturday was posted to Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, where it drew more than 100 million hits.
It shows Meng Da sitting in the enclosure when a stone appears to bounce next to him and stop close by. The startled panda pauses then goes over to examine the object.
Visitors are heard asking, “Who threw the stone?” But no one identifies the stone thrower. Beijing News reported that a bigger stone struck Meng Da about 30 minutes later.
The report quoted the person who shot the video as saying the culprits threw objects to “wake the panda up”.
On Weibo, Beijing Zoo assured panda lovers that Meng Da was unhurt and unruffled by the stone-throwing. The zoo promised to improve security and inspections at the panda enclosure.