Crossword Genius

Father bears also threatened beast (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

panda

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'threatened beast' is the definition.
'panda' can be an answer for 'beast' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'threatened' bit.

'father bears also' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'bears' is an insertion indicator (some letters carry or bear others).
'also' becomes 'and' (both can mean in addition).
'pa' going around 'and' is 'PANDA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for panda that I've seen before include "giant animal" , "Bamboo-eater" , "Endangered bamboo eater" , "Threatened mammal" , "Exotic animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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