In the winter of 2020, after three connecting flights and a crowded train ride, my friends and I finally arrived at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China, all the way from San Diego, USA. As I locked eyes with the panda named Baiyun, time seemed to stand still. In that moment of silence, I felt a deep connection as she slowly approached me. It was as if she recognized me, and I could see...