A tourist named Shi stumbled upon a lifeless body of a giant panda floating in a river during his travel in southern China.

The video was filmed in Baoxing County in Sichuan Province on April 11.

Mr. Shi, who was on a motorcycle trip with a friend on the scenic western Sichuan loop from Ya'an towards Aba, initially mistook the panda for a small dog in distress. Upon closer inspection, after stopping their motorcycle by the roadside, they realised it was a young giant panda.

The serene journey took a somber turn as Shi observed that the panda was already deceased, motionless on the water's surface. The river, located directly beside the road, featured deep and slow-moving waters.

Responding to the incident, staff from the Baoxing County Forestry Bureau reported that an investigation was underway.

Zheng Congjun, head of the Wildlife Protection Division of the Baoxing County Forestry Bureau, stated that personnel had examined the scene and found no external injuries on the panda.

Preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was drowning, with no human involvement suspected. Further investigation, including an autopsy, is required to determine if the panda was ill before drowning.

Baoxing County is renowned as the "hometown of the giant panda," being the site where the world's first giant panda was discovered and the first giant panda specimen was obtained. It is also part of the UNESCO-listed Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

The video was provided by local media with permision.

4月11日，游客施先生在途经四川雅安宝兴县时，发现一只幼年大熊猫尸体在河道中漂浮。
施先生介绍，他和朋友驾驶摩托车在川西小环线旅行，从雅安向阿坝方向前行，途经雅安宝兴县时，偶然发现路边河道中有一只扑在水中的大熊猫，“沿途风景很美，看风景时瞥到，最开始还以为是小狗落水，打算去救，停下摩托到路边才看清是一只大熊猫，还是幼年体。”
施先生表示，当时据他观察，河道中的大熊猫已经死亡，漂浮在水面上，一动不动。河道就在路边，事发河段的水流较深、流速较缓。
对此，雅安市宝兴县林业局工作人员回复称，当地已接到相关情况反映，正在进一步核查中。
宝兴县林业局野生动植物保护股股长郑从军回应，已有人员到场处置，未在熊猫身上发现外伤，初查大熊猫系溺亡，排除人为因素。至于熊猫溺亡前有没有生病，还需要进行尸检。
公开资料显示，宝兴有“熊猫老家”之称，是世界第一只大熊猫发现地和第一只大熊猫模式标本产地，是世界自然遗产四川大熊猫栖息地。