May 31, 2007

Freed Chinese panda dies in wild

Xiang Xiang, the first Chinese panda released into the wild after being bred in captivity has died, according to Chinese media. The five-year-old panda was found dead in February after what is believed to have been a fight -- over food or territory -- with wild pandas.

The delay in reporting Xiang Xiang's death was because of the need for a full investigation, the Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying.

The panda was released in April 2006 from the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre, and his death is considered a setback for China's efforts to increase the number of giant pandas in the wild. The animals are one of the world's most endangered species.

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