Zhang Hemin, director of the Wolong Nature Reserve Administration, speaks at a press conference regarding the reconstruction of the panda habitat in earthquake-hit Sichuan province. CNS

Pandas do not intend to kill when they attack people, but to express their anxiety and warn others away, said an expert after a panda bit a zookeeper at Ocean Park.

On November 30, An An, a 22-year-old panda residing at Ocean Park, bit the left leg of a female keeper who has been taking care of it for seven years.

A male visitor who recorded the incident said the giant panda sat on the caretaker for about a minute before running back into its backroom. An An looked scared and confused but not fierce, the witness said.

Zhang Hemin, director of the Wolong Nature Reserve Administration, said giant pandas are rarely aggressive but can become agitated while in heat or when they develop high blood pressure in their old age.

"Under these conditions, pandas would become unhappy when they see caretakers in their territory," said Zhang. Pandas can then bite or scratch the intruders.

Zhang was once bitten by a 2.5-year-old panda during a tree-climbing training session.

"It didn't like the training and bit my legs. Yet the action didn't mean anything but a warning," he said. "If it really wants to hurt you, its sharp and thick teeth can take your life."

He emphasized that pandas are wild animals with natural instincts.

An An is in stable condition after the attack.

The wounded keeper is healing, said Suzanne Gendron, director of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong.

"We are wrapping up the investigation and will finish it as soon as possible," she said.

Though the incident is a rare case, Gendron said regulations to look after pandas have been reinforced with enhanced manpower.

It has been a difficult year for China's pandas.

The devastating earthquake in Sichuan demolished the Wolong Panda Reserve. One panda was killed and another went missing.

Several injured pandas have already healed, but another fell sick after the disaster and died later. All pandas have moved away from the completely smashed reserve, which must be rebuilt in the same location because of the unique resources and climate of Wolong. Reconstruction is expected to be completed by 2011.

However, the team may have to deal with some difficulties during the frosty winter, which often causes sickness among pandas.

Zhang's top concern is the psychological status of the pandas.

"The pandas are still scared and miserable after the earthquake. They would sometimes huddle together to console each other," Zhang said. "Their psychological trauma cannot be healed in the short term."

(HK Edition 12/11/2008 page1)