While panda enthusiasts in Washington, D.C., are busy snapping selfies and livestreaming the arrival of two adorable pandas at the National Zoo, their counterparts in China are facing a very different reality. The Chinese government is tightening its control over panda fan culture, a movement that once thrived online but is now under scrutiny.

Pandas are more than just fluffy animals in China—they’re a national symbol. For years, millions of devoted fans have championed animal welfare, raising concerns about aggressive breeding practices and the separation of cubs from their mothers. While the government once tolerated this activism, it’s now cracking down hard.

Recent reports reveal that online influencers in China have been arrested or questioned for spreading what officials call “false rumors” and promoting “radical fan culture.” The police in Sichuan Province, home to many pandas, have even arrested 12 people for allegedly smearing panda experts and spreading misleading information about the bears, including two that previously lived in Washington, D.C.

The government has accused panda influencers of harassing staff at breeding centers and profiting from livestream donations. State media has also warned against “radical animal protection gangs,” claiming they’ve uncovered such groups in several provinces.

This crackdown is part of a broader effort by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to tighten control over internet fan culture. While panda fans once enjoyed a platform to advocate for their cause, they’re now being told to tread carefully online. As pandas continue to captivate audiences worldwide, their biggest fans in China are finding it harder than ever to speak up for them.