Sick and thin panda pictures rile netizens

Photographs of a very lean panda at Qinling Wildlife Zoo in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi Province, has upset many netizens.

The pictures posted by a netizen on Weibo showed the bleak-colored panda looking skinny and downhearted. Even its ribs could be clearly seen.

Netizens wondered why the “national treasure” that are usually chubby and plump looked so emaciated.  

The zoo authorities claimed the panda was getting old with aging teeth and was suffering from pulpitis. It had not eaten for few days. Professionals were invited to treat the panda as soon as they found out about the problem. They said the panda was now recovering and having proper diet but it has not been seen in the public again.

“Dental disease is dangerous for pandas’ health,” said Yong Yange, a senior engineer from the province’s Foping National Nature Reserve. “Wild pandas suffering from dental disease find it hard to eat, which can even result in death.”