Panda bites US tourist

2006-10-18 11:29

Beijing - An American tourist had part of her thumb bitten off by a giant panda cub as she tried to feed the animal bamboo at a nature reserve in southwest China, state press reported on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old woman, identified only as Lisa, lost 20 percent of her right thumb in the incident at the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan province Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency said, citing a doctor who treated her.

The woman was working as a short-term volunteer at the reserve, but she neglected advice to maintain a safe distance from the cute-looking animals and not touch them unless accompanied by a professional, local officials said.

Pandas are known to have a wild streak and are capable of attacking humans, especially if they feel threatened.

Last month, a drunken Chinese man hoping to hug a panda bear at the Beijing Zoo was mauled by one after he jumped into its enclosure.

- AFP