Forest creature threatened with old man circling (5)
I believe the answer is:
panda
'forest creature threatened' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'with old man circling' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'and'.
'old man' becomes 'pa' (both can mean father).
'circling' means one lot of letters goes inside another (circling can mean going around or containing).
'and' inserted within 'pa' is 'PANDA'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for panda that I've seen before include "Bamboo-eater" , "Bamboo-eating mammal" , "Black-and-white bear" , "Endangered bamboo eater" , "Black and white beast" .)