The park’s explanation for keeping the news to itself while it secretly searched: It did not want to frighten the neighbors. The Chinese internet has been agog with updates and discussion about the missing leopards. Many people were not impressed by the park’s explanation and had questions about the government’s actions, the frantic search and the well-being of the leopards that were hunted down. Leopards are an endangered species, and are found in the wild across remnant patches of western China. “The ‘leopard hiding’ affair has exposed gaps in management that warrant more scrutiny and reflection,” Chinese Central Television News opined in an online article.

Source: New York Times May 10, 2021 07:34 UTC