Jerome Pouille (far left) looks over panda information in Tangjiahe nature reserve in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Jerome Pouille, an avid giant panda enthusiast from France, recently went to Tangjiahe nature reserve in Guangyuan, Sichuan province, where he experienced remarkable contacts with wild giant pandas.

Upon arriving, Pouille indulged in the local delicacy -- the copper hotpo -- while listening to captivating stories from the staff about their encounters with wild giant pandas. The following day, he set off to explore the Tangjiahe area within the Giant Panda National Park in search of traces of these majestic creatures.

From March 3 to 6, Pouille eagerly captured photographs and combed the area for signs of giant pandas. Despite his efforts, however, he was unable to have a close encounter with them and only came across their tracks and droppings.

But although he missed seeing giant pandas in person, Pouille was deeply captivated by the natural beauty of Tangjiahe. He expressed his admiration.

"I was truly impressed by the breathtaking scenery and the ideal habitat it provides," he said.

Pouille (right) receives an interview in Tangjiahe nature reserve in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

"The lush bamboo forests and abundant vegetation make it a perfect sanctuary for pandas."

Pouille hails from Toulouse, France, and works for the French Ministry of Ecology.

In 2002, in the early days of the internet's popularity, he established his own giant panda information website, "panda.fr," as a platform to gather and share valuable insights. Over the years, the website has evolved into a global hub for giant panda enthusiasts, attracting millions of visitors.

In 2012, Pouille, along with two other devoted giant panda fans, was selected as a "Panda Guardian" by the Chengdu Giant Panda Base, standing out among 1.16 million applicants worldwide.