Panda cub dies from accidental suffocation

CHENGDU -  A panda cub at a panda base in Southwest China's Sichuan province died due to accidental suffocation, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

The center said the female cub, born on Aug 10 last year, lived in the Shenshuping panda breeding base, Wolong National Nature Reserve.

The cub played alone in the outdoor playground at the base and climbed up a wooden frame with a hanging ball at around 2 a.m. on April 9. It was found dead by a breeder at around 9 a.m. with ropes tangled around its neck and forelegs.

The center said they are deeply saddened by the loss of the cub and are aware of their failure to properly guarantee the safety of the panda.

According to the center, it will draw lessons from this accident, further strengthen the safety inspection and evaluation of the facilities for young giant pandas, and thoroughly investigate the potential safety hazards in the park.

Night patrols will be strengthened to prevent the reoccurrence of such accidents, according to the center.