A rare brown and white panda who was bullied as a cub, finally gets the acceptance he deserves after being adopted.
Qizai was found by researchers when he was just a two-months-old in a nature reserve in Qinling Mountains, central China, MailOnline reports.
The cub’s mom had disappeared and he was all alone so was taken to Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue, Breeding and Research Center for medical treatment.
His keeper He Xin, told the MailOnline the cub was bullied by the other pandas who would steal his bamboo forcing him to fight for it.
But despite this tough life experience, a decade later this beautiful rarity has grown into a strong, active animal and has caught the attention of organization Pandas International, in the U.S.
The rare panda, called Qizai, became the world’s only brown and white bear living in captivity and will continue to live in China, however, the non-profit will be able to visit him and will get regular updates.
Colorado-based Pandas International was co-founded by Suzanne Braden and Diane Rees in 2000 with the goal of protecting the giant panda.
The Giant Panda Research Center held a ceremony to celebrate Qizai’s adoption.
Genetic mutation
Katherine Feng, an American vet and member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, said brown and white pandas have only been seen in the Qinling Mountains.
“It is suspected that the brown and white coloring of pandas has a genetic basis, possible a result of a double recessive gene, a combination of genes or a dilution factor gene. Qi Zai’s mother was black and white,” Katherine told MailOnline.
What a beautiful panda! We should all celebrate our differences, even in the animal kingdom.
I’m so glad this panda finally has the acceptance he deserves. Please share if you agree.
