The Qatar Tribune reported on 25 August 2020 that the Al Khor zoo in Qatar is planning on constructing a panda enclosure ahead of introducing pandas into the zoo.
Pandas live in temperate climate in forests with plenty of rainfall year round. They do not belong to the scorching desert environment. There is no need to uproot them from their native habitat. They have been critically endangered for years and have only just been re-classified as vulnerable. There is certainly no need to risk this progress by making them live in the desert! The zoo is a horrible place by any standard. This is torture, inhumane and selfish. They are nature's wonder and should be admired as such, and not in captivity.
 
We ask the Al Khor zoo management to reconsider this plan. Please do not bring them into Qatar just so people can feast their eyes on them. We ask them to dedicate the same resources (financial and otherwise) to those who are in more desperate need of shelter and safety: the animals who are already on the streets of Qatar! They are there, they are suffering, dying and being abused everyday.