Tainan Fake Panda Incident _verified_ -

The animal was first showcased on December 24, 1987. While it drew crowds eager to see a rarity, experts were quickly unconvinced by its appearance and behavior. Unlike the docile, bamboo-eating giant pandas recognized globally, this specimen displayed characteristics that suggested a different species altogether. By January 3, 1988, a panel of experts from the Council of Agriculture and prestigious institutions like National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University conducted a formal investigation.