Two individuals who allegedly benefited from spreading rumors about giant panda abuses online have been transferred to prosecutors for further review after police in Sichuan province closed the investigation.

Announcing the latest development of the case in a statement on Friday, the Dujiangyan public security bureau noted that the suspects had not only allegedly fabricated and spread false information about giant pandas, but also incited people to interfere with the work of animal experts and government agencies.

The police began the investigation on the pair after receiving reports from the public in March, finding that the two, both from Xianyang, Shaanxi province, spreading multiple times fake information through livestreaming and short-video platforms about giant pandas being abused since June 2023, according to the statement.

The duo — one surnamed Bai and the other identified as Xu — were also suspected of defaming organizations and experts in the animal protection field, such as the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda, as well as inciting netizens to oppose international cooperation on giant panda conservation, it said.

In addition, instigated by the pair, some people were suspected of frequently harassing animal experts and relevant government departments online and offline, including text messages and calls, severely disrupting the normal work and life of the professionals and the public order, it added.

The statement revealed that the 56-year-old Bai and the 40-year-old Xu allegedly benefited 170,000 yuan ($23,000) from the livestreaming activities, of which a whopping 140,000 yuan were raised from their followers.

According to the police — based on the evidence collected during the investigation — the two individuals have been suspected of insult and defamation in accordance with the Criminal Law, the statement added.

Cao Yin and Liu Boqian contributed to this story.