Possible Clues:

• Bamboo-munching beast
• Ling-Ling or Yong Yong
• National Zoo creature
• Beijing Zoo attraction
• Mountain-dweller also described by the old man
• Characters combining to make dad appear a beast
• Bearlike creature from Japan, daunting
• Herbivore also trapped by the old man
• The National Zoo's Xiao Qi Ji, e.g
• Black-and-white bear of China