🐼1.14 Panda Base VH: Paralyzed Panda’s Surgery Plan— Even the Director Can’t Make the Final Call

At the Panda Base inpatient ward, there is a panda named Fuyuan. She was born with a spinal condition, which led to congenital hind limb weakness. She cannot walk with her lower body and relies solely on her front limbs to drag herself forward. Her hind limbs are severely atrophied.

The Panda Base initially intended to conduct surgery. However, the procedure involves multiple medical departments: neurology, orthopedics, cardiology, and anesthesiology. The in-house veterinary team lacks the comprehensive expertise to manage such a complex operation.

Therefore, the base contacted several departments at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, for collaboration and surgical planning. But West China’s doctors have never operated on a panda. They are unsure about dosages and physiological responses. Due to these uncertainties, both the treatment plan and cooperation process have been delayed for months.

The surgery is tentatively scheduled for next month. However, there is significant concern that Fuyuan might suffer brain damage and enter a vegetative state—a “plant panda.”

Hospital-level decisions require agreement across departments and are rarely made by one individual. The base’s director, under immense pressure, is often attacked online. Critics claim she is intentionally delaying the surgery to let Fuyuan die and reduce workload. In truth, she is making careful, difficult decisions under extreme scrutiny.

The photography team has avoided capturing the full condition of Fuyuan’s legs. They fear the public cannot accept the reality. Without accurate visuals, many assume her condition is minor. The situation is extremely difficult.