Captive-bred panda missing after fight with wild rival

The only giant panda to be bred in captivity and released into the wild has gone missing after being badly beaten by a rival for territory, food or a mate, it was reported.

In a major setback for China's efforts to replenish the endangered species with animals reared in zoos, Xiang Xiang has broken at least one bone and could be in danger, a leading Chinese zoologist said.



"Xiang Xiang has been badly hurt in a competition with other pandas", Zhang Hemin, the director of the Research and Conservation Centre for the Giant Panda, said.

The team will decide whether to bring Xiang Xiang for treatment in captivity or leave him in the wild for research purposes once they have made a fuller check on his condition.

Even if he survives his injuries, there is a risk he could be unable to defend himself in conflicts with other males during the mating season, which is only a few months away.