The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel in Chongqing has attracted attention for its unique wake-up call service: allowing red pandas to roam freely in guests' rooms each morning. Touted as "the cutest wake-up call in the world," the service even permits the animals to climb onto guests' beds.

Red pandas roam freely in the rooms, even climbing onto guests' beds. Photo: On Tour With Dridgers/YouTube

British tourists Reanne and Ben documented their experience on their YouTube channel, "On Tour With Dridgers," which has over 100,000 subscribers. The video shows a red panda accompanied by a hotel employee wandering down the hallway and entering a guest's room. The panda then chews on an apple slice and climbs onto the bed. The video also shows the animal appearing comfortable being petted by the guests.

Hotel representatives stated that the 4 red pandas were borrowed from a zoo. They are fully vaccinated, cared for by on-site staff, and work in rotation.

However, the service has ignited controversy on social media. Concerns have been raised about potential injuries, disease transmission between animals and humans, and the impact on the animals' well-being. The Chongqing Forestry Bureau has launched an investigation and ordered a temporary suspension of the service, although no specific reason has been given.

Red panda wake-up call service at the Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel. Video: On Tour With Dridgers/YouTube

Sun Quanhui, senior scientific advisor for the World Animal Protection organization, stated that red pandas are nationally protected and should not be kept as pets or used for entertainment or tourism. He further emphasized that these wild animals are sensitive and easily stressed by human interaction.

China banned close contact between tourists and wild animals in 2018 to protect animals and prevent disease outbreaks.

Ha Phuong (According to The Mirror, Newsweek, Times of London)