On February 11, a netizen shared an incident on social media regarding her family's stay at a treehouse hotel in Nantong, Jiangsu, China. The hotel features free-range animals, and unfortunately, her husband was bitten by a red panda that entered their room.
According to the netizen's account, they had booked a three-day, two-night stay at the hotel, where red pandas are allowed to roam at specific times each day. On the day of the incident, the couple had just returned from an outing and were resting on the bed. Although staff had previously warned them not to sit on the bed, fatigue led them to disregard this advice. "Moreover, when the staff saw us sitting there, they didn't say anything, so we became complacent," she explained.
As shown in footage from the incident, after moving around on the bed, the red panda suddenly attacked her husband, biting his arm and leaving multiple bite marks and bruises. Following the incident, hotel staff promptly contacted the guests and provided first aid for the injuries. They suggested that if guests felt uneasy, they could consider vaccination but emphasized that all red pandas at the hotel were fully vaccinated.
On February 12, a hotel staff member informed the media that they had initiated follow-up measures immediately after the incident to ensure guest satisfaction. The staff member noted that while red pandas are generally gentle, professional caretakers are present when they enter guest rooms to remind visitors to prioritize safety. Additionally, guests are advised to avoid excessive interaction with the red pandas.
The treehouse hotel is located within Nantong Forest Safari Park and opened in 2021, offering a high-end animal-themed vacation experience. Previous visitors have shared photos and videos showcasing other free-range animals like deer, llamas, white tigers, and orangutans. Guests can interact with these animals in designated areas during specific times under constant supervision by caretakers.
The hotel clarified that while it does not prohibit contact with red pandas, their entry into guest rooms is not guaranteed and depends entirely on the animals' own will.
