Just half an hour before the incident, Michael Torres was following the same routine he had carried out for years. The early mornings at Green Valley Zoo were familiar to him — quiet paths, the sound of animals waking, the steady rhythm of preparing habitats before visitors arrived. At thirty-two, he had become one of the zoo’s most trusted keepers, known for his calm presence and the way animals seemed to relax around him.
On August 23, 2025, the day began like countless others, but something inside the panda enclosure took an unexpected turn. Michael entered Bai Yun’s habitat shortly after sunrise with fresh bamboo, fruit, and supplements. Bai Yun, a seven-year-old giant panda, had been under his care since she was young. He understood her behaviors well and respected the space she needed.
Surveillance footage later showed behavior that was unusual for Bai Yun. From the moment Michael entered, she appeared unsettled. She paced tightly, avoided the food, and showed signs of discomfort that were only fully understood after the fact. Michael kept a respectful distance, speaking gently as he always did, but something caused the situation to escalate suddenly.
In a moment that no one anticipated, Bai Yun reacted sharply. The emergency response team immediately activated their protocols. Fellow keepers rushed in with protective shields and worked quickly to reach Michael and guide him to safety. Paramedics soon transported him to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Continue reading on the next page…