Despite its world-famous image as a charming and harmless symbol of conservation, the giant panda remains a powerful wild animal equipped with all the natural tools characteristic of the bear family.
These are large animals, with a mass that can exceed 110 kilograms, and their jaws, specially adapted for chewing tough bamboo, possess immense biting power, second only to polar and brown relatives among bears.
Although there are no documented cases of a panda killing a human, attacks, especially in captivity, do occur and often lead to serious injuries. A 2014 study documented several incidents at the Beijing Zoo where people who found themselves in the enclosure with pandas received deep bites to their limbs that required surgical intervention and skin grafts.
These cases clearly illustrate that while the panda is generally calm by nature, it can become aggressive if it feels threatened, scared, or irritated. In the wild, encounters with humans are extremely rare, as pandas prefer to avoid contact. However, within their species, they exhibit pronounced competitive behavior, fighting for resources and mates.
Thus, while the panda is considered one of the most peace-loving bears, it remains a powerful wild predator, and close contact with it carries a real risk.
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