Infrared camera captures giant panda mom mediating in kids' fighting

A touching moment was captured in an infrared camera as giant panda Can Can lovingly stepped in to mediate a playful squabble between her twin cubs over a chair at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in southwest China's Sichuan Province, offering a sweet glimpse into the caring world of panda motherhood.

The footage, recorded on Dec 4 and released on Dec 6, showed the female panda gently gripping one cub by the scruff of its neck to separate the wrestling siblings, Can Yang and Qing Yang.

Can Can, a female giant panda born on August 22, 2018, gave birth to the pair, a female and a male, on September 10, 2024.

Scruff grabbing aligns with natural panda parenting techniques. Similar to cats, giant pandas have a pain-insensitive region on the back of their necks, allowing mothers to carry their young safely without causing discomfort.

The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution dedicated to the breeding and conservation of the giant panda. The center has established the world's largest captive population of giant pandas and pioneered research on captive breeding and training for rewilding.

The center also holds the largest global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges on Panda reservation, involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions around the world, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.

Infrared camera captures giant panda mom mediating in kids' fighting

China's top political advisor Wang Huning has met with delegates attending the 11th national congress of the Taoist Association of China, which was held on Monday and Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, stressed the importance of implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, and of guiding followers and key figures of Taoism to contribute to the country's modernization drive.

Wang urged the association to exercise full and rigorous governance over the religion, intensify efforts to raise awareness of the rule of law, and foster an image of a Taoist community that is patriotic and devoted to the faith, maintains good conduct, abides by the law, and upholds Taoist precepts.

He encouraged the association to cultivate talent proficient in both canonical teachings and fine traditional Chinese culture, and to expand global exchange in Taoism.

At the national congress, the association adopted a revised charter, as well as a set of religious rules and regulations, and elected new leadership.

Top political advisor meets with Chinese Taoist delegates