Notice giant panda initially confused, adjusting to environment (8)

I believe the answer is:

adapting

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'adjusting to environment' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'notice giant panda initially confused' is the wordplay.
'notice' becomes 'ad' (both can mean an advertisement).
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'confused' is an anagram indicator.
The initial letter of 'panda' is 'p'.
'giant'+'p'='giantp'
'giantp' is an anagram of 'apting'.
'ad'+'apting'='ADAPTING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for adapting that I've seen before include "Adjusting to suit a new use" , "Altering to fit another purpose" , "Changing to suit a new purpose" , "Changing to fit new circumstances" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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