SINGAPORE - In a surprising twist of events, Singapore's beloved giant panda Le Le, who made headlines as the first panda born in the Lion City, has found himself embroiled in a dramatic brawl shortly after returning to his homeland in China.

This unexpected showdown took place on April 18 at the Dujiangyan Panda Base, renowned for its efforts in panda conservation, located in the picturesque Chengdu. A video shared on the popular Chinese social media platform Weibo captured the intense moment when Le Le, a hefty two-year-old, squared off against his younger enclosure mate, Qing Zai.

What began as a playful tussle quickly escalated into a fierce confrontation, with both pandas throwing paws and growling fiercely at each other. Zookeepers, clearly alarmed, attempted to defuse the situation by tossing in bamboo — a delicious distraction for the feisty bears — but to no avail!

The showdown concluded when Le Le sought refuge high in a tree, hiding among the branches until zookeepers successfully led Qing Zai away to ensure peace in the enclosure. The base promptly announced on Weibo that the two pandas would be separated to avoid any further conflicts.

Fortunately, Le Le came out of the altercation with only minor scratches, but he remains otherwise unharmed, ready to continue his life in the panda-loving nation.

Born on August 14, 2021, Le Le (which means "happy" in Mandarin) left Singapore in January 2024 in accordance with the terms of China's panda loan agreement, which states that cubs born abroad must return home by the age of two. Before his highly-anticipated return, Le Le spent an unforgettable two years at the Mandai Wildlife Group’s River Wonders park, delighting visitors alongside his parents, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

As panda fans rally behind their star, all eyes will be on Le Le as he adapts to his new surroundings and hopes for a quieter future devoid of brawls!