Panda dies after being released

But Xiang Xiang died in February this year. Central officials say this death may be due to fighting other pandas. The death of Xiang Xiang is a step backward in the effort to preserve pandas in China.

Bear Xiang Xiang was released into the forest in Sichuan in April 2006 (Photo: AP)

Large pandas are among the most endangered species in the world. Only about 1,600 animals remain in the wild and 200 in the zoo and biological center.

Before being released into the forest, Xiang Xiang was in the center in Sichuan Province to prepare for the river in the wild environment for three years. Last year, experts said that Xiang Xiang was in harmony with the living environment along with other pandas. But a fight led them to transfer Xiang Xiang back to the center to take care of in December.

Li Desheng, deputy director of the center, said: "We chose Xiang Xiang as a male, strong and have a chance to survive in a higher natural environment. However, the other male pandas gave Xiang Xiang the threat. threaten. " Other scientists say Xiang Xiang suffered many injuries, with broken ribs. It may have fallen from above after fighting for food or territory with other pandas.

However, the Panda Conservation Center said it will continue to release bears to the forest in the future.