Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Giant Panda in China rips off man's jacket
¶ 9:17 PM 
| China: Tourist has jacket ripped off his back by Giant Panda in open cage at Nature Reserve dedicated to survival of the endangered species 02 Nov 1992 A recent visitor to a Chinese zoo had a narrow escape when his jacket was torn off his back by a giant panda. The visitor to Chengdu Zoo sat with his back against the panda's railings for a picture to be taken. His jacket attracted the 75-kilogram (165 pound) panda's attention and the creature grabbed it, while the man was held by his friends, setting up a 'tug of war'. Eventually, the panda got the jacket, then rolled around nuzzling it, to the delight of some onlookers. Future prospects for giant pandas have just been strengthened by a Chinese 10-year plan that will cost about 50 million United States dollars. Officials have realised that more funds are needed to save the panda, which could otherwise become extinct in 50 years time. Only 1,000 giant pandas are believed to be alive today. Officals in Chengdu have the greatest success in breeding captive giant pandas. Keywords: Panda, China, animals, baby, cute, sweet, rare, funny, naughty, zoo, unusual. Reuters 6916/93 | |
